An Open Letter to my High School Teachers,
Let me start off by saying thank you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for believing that I could achieve my goals. Thank you for supporting me through all the emotional times that took a toll on me. Thank you for teaching me that I don't need to change a thing about myself to get ahead in life.
I know at times, I didn't always make your job easy, but I never meant to make it hard. Before I met you, I believed that I wouldn't graduate—you changed that for me. You may think that you taught what you were required and didn't have any real impact on me. Well, if you believe that, you are far from right. You taught me to never give up on myself. You taught me to always put in my best effort, no matter how much I don't want to. Being your student was the best possible outcome for me and my education. When I was a freshman, I was scared I would fail, and at times I did, but you taught me that it's OK to fail and make mistakes. I wouldn't be human if I didn't. Thank you for truly believing that I would go to college. Almost my entire life, I was petrified that I wouldn't be accepted into anywhere, but with your help, I was accepted into five colleges!
You know that I've been through some very emotional times in my life. Through those times, you stuck by me. You never lost hope in whether I'd be OK in the end. At the time, I thought I wouldn't, but you knew that I'd be just fine. You told me that you were there for me, I didn't believe you, and yet again, you proved me wrong. I feel that you were the most reliable person I had in my life, the person I could count on most. I think we can both agree that each and every thing that I experienced, made me a better and stronger person. I achieved everything that I hoped I would and I can't help but think that I wouldn't have if I hadn't fought my way through all the hard stuff.
This part really hits home for me. I've always had a hard time having faith in myself. When I met you, I was at a low point in my life. I believed that I was stupid, ugly, and unworthy. Although I never told you this, you made me feel like I wasn't every time you expressed how proud you were—every award I ever earned, every grade I ever got—you told me indirectly, that I AM good enough. You made me start to believe in myself again, day by day. Some days, I didn't, but by the time I had graduated, I knew that I was, I mean, am. I am worthy.
I don't know if I'd be where I am today without you, so thank you. Thank you for teaching me valuable lessons about life. I will never, ever forget you or the impact that you had on me. I can only hope and pray, that I will be half the teacher you are after I get my degree in education. You're my inspiration for choosing my career path in life. I owe you. I love you. I will never leave your side, like you never left mine.
Sincerely,
A very blessed high school graduate
