An Open Letter To The Teacher That Changed My Life
Start writing a post
Sports

An Open Letter To The Teacher That Changed My Life

To the teacher that never gave up on me.

53
An Open Letter To The Teacher That Changed My Life

Quoting G- Eazy here, "I know I should keep in better touch, but that door it never shuts."


Scalpel used to be one of my favourite words, Grey's Anatomy my obsession, and a career in surgery, my desire.

I remember coming to you one day exclaiming out of the blue that I had decided to be a surgeon after high school. I had been heart set on a marine biology degree for years up to that point. You still listened to me, you looked at schools with me, and you took me seriously. I was about a month into my senior year of high school when you asked me again why I wanted to be a surgeon, I told you it was because it was more stable than a job in marine biology.

That was when you changed my entire life. You asked me to close my eyes and you ran through a scenario with me. I was in a surgeon having completed a surgery and walking out of the OR to talk to the family. Afterward, you asked me to again close my eyes and gave another scenario. Except this time, you went through a scenario where I was observing a pod of whales’ migratory patterns on a boat. After you finished, you asked me what I saw myself enjoying more in life, and shocker, it wasn’t surgery. But, I think you knew that all along.

I can’t count the times I was in your classroom crying because of my GPA, ACT scores, undecided major, undecided school, etc. You always found the time to help me, above and beyond. You helped me get a tutor for math, you pulled me aside when I was crying in class, you helped me find schools along with applying to them, and you wrote me a letter of recommendation. You helped me keep calm in my most stressful year of high school.

If it wasn’t for you:

I probably wouldn’t be at the school I am at right now.

I would never have gotten a scholarship for my ACT scores.

I would not have pulled such a solid GPA senior year.

I would not be the major I am.

I would not have you as a life-long friend.

I would not be so outgoing and calm.

I would not be the strong person that I have become.

I remember calling you after I graduated, during school hours, and you had made a joke to me that college kids seem to forget so easily about high school. At the time, I didn’t understand the joke that well, but I do now. I know so many people that never think about their old school/roots and how they got here, but I do think back. I am so grateful that you chose to be on my team.

I appreciate the support you have always shown me, along with the patience. There is no way that I can thank you for everything you have ever done for me, but I want to at least introduce the tip of the iceberg. Thank you for not being upset with me when I don’t have time to talk for months at a time. Thank you for not being upset with me for never visiting. Thank you for having encouraged me to be more involved in school. Thank you for understanding when a teacher disrespected me. Thank you for letting me hide in your room during lunch when I was having a bad day. Thank you for helping me push out of my bubble. Thank you for coming to my graduation party. Thank you for never letting me give up. Thank you for always understanding. I was a certified mess and you will always deserve so much more than an article that not many people will read.

Nathan Harman, you will always be the most respected teacher in my life as well as a cherished friend, and I thank you for that.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54574
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35117
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957370
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

183543
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments