Every teacher we have affects us in one way or another. With the way they approach teaching and learning they have the potential to change our lives. Not every teacher takes advantage of the potential they have to impact lives, but once in a blue moon, life puts somebody on this planet who completely shatters any idea you have of what an ideal teacher should be like. The older I get, the more I realize just how much my teachers have had to endure and have grown to truly appreciate everything they have done for me. I can't say that every teacher I've ever had has been a joy, but there have been a handful of teachers that have been wonderful and one in particular who made an impact so big on my life that I'll never be able to fully put into words. This is an attempt to thank him and the countless teachers like him for everything they have done.

When I walked into your English class I expected nothing less than the stereotypical strict and stern-faced teacher. At first sight, I thought I was right: You were the most intimidating looking person I'd ever seen. But you were nothing short of amazing, and from that first day in class you changed my life.

When I started your class I was struggling deeply with my life at home. I smiled but wasn't happy. I never expected to find happiness inside the walls of your classroom. I never would have guessed that I would find myself smiling while writing one of your essays or the satisfaction I would feel when I read one of your encouraging notes at the top of a paper. I could never have imagined that I would feel safe within those walls and in the pages of the novels that I never would have read if it weren't for you.

Not only did you make me read books and write about things I never even thought of, but you made me love doing it, too. You gave me my first real creative writing assignment. I didn't expect much when I turned in that assignment to you, and I certainly never expected for you to talk to me at the end of class and encourage me to write more. From then on, every essay and exam and assignment you gave me made me fall in love with literature and writing. You didn't just give me knowledge and advice; you helped me find my passion and for that alone I will be forever grateful.

It seems incomprehensible to me that one teacher, one man, could have such a profound effect not only on my classmates but on me as well. You didn't just teach us about Shakespeare; you taught us about life. You taught us about how to properly use commas and to never give up on ourselves. That's what you taught our class, but you taught me so much more.

You made me a better writer and you made me realize that I wanted to be one. You never gave up on me; you always told me that I could succeed, even when nobody else thought so. You inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and document my life and passions on paper.

You used to call me your little Emily Dickinson, and every time I read her work I think of you and only hope to be able to make you proud some day.

Thank you. Even though you may not know it, the reason I am where I am and who I am today is because of you.


Love always,

Gabby