Sorry that this is long past due. I wish I could come to visit you and thank you in person for all that you have done for me. But, because of you, writing is the best way for me to do that.

In my opinion, among the fire fighters, rocket scientists, and doctors in the world, teachers have one of the hardest jobs. From school politics, after hours of grading, changing wages, and disrespectful students, they face many more challenges than just their responsibility of educating.

I have had many teachers who were not passionate about the material they presented. They didn't care if the students absorbed or enjoyed any of their teachings. This creates lazy, but most of the time unconfident, students. Just as their teachers do, they lack the care and sense of fulfillment that education can bring. Yet, I never saw this disconnect in any of your lessons. I don't think there was ever a day I didn't see you committed in bettering each of your student's outlook on his or her education.

Back when I was placed into the accelerated program, I felt alienated from all my friends. Quite frankly enough, I didn't think I was smart enough compared to the other--as we were called--"gifted" students in the program. That belief quickly changed because of you.

You created an atmosphere of total comfort and enjoyment for learning. I not only wanted to but looked forward to going to school every single day because of you.

Once the funding for our program was cut, our curriculum should have been completely dissolved. But you didn't let that happen. For those of us who chose to, you kept the same enrichment and taught us double what you were supposed to in the normal classroom of which we were placed.

You jumped through so many holes to allow for us to meet in a vacant closet sized room in the hall to read and discuss books such as The Crucible. While most other students and teachers would consider that ditching class, you trusted that we would do our work. Honestly, most students wouldn't have but we whole heartedly wanted to learn because of you.

You put in extra hours before and after school to train us for our grammar mastery test and placement exams. Maybe with the help of your caffeine (still drinking Diet Cokes?) but nevertheless, you were so happy to see us there every morning.

I remember after graduation I cried saying goodbye to you and was only able to mutter a simple "thanks for everything". I meant to say a whole lot more. But through the years, I've realized that the "everything" I had thought you gave me then had even expanded.

In reading To Kill A Mockingbird, you taught us what a good person is in the character of Atticus Finch. But over the years I had you as a teacher you taught me how to me a good person myself. You meticulously engraved in us lessons of hard work and to push ourselves in order to be successful. You taught me to put my all in every relationship and person that I meet, just as what you did for me.

You not only gave me literature and stories I can revel in. You gave me writing, my escape from whatever could be bogging me in life. And for that gift alone, I am deeply gratified.

Sure, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't use semi-colons so much; I wouldn't know the definition of a gerund or to condemn dangling participles. But you changed my outlook on life far past the classroom. You challenged me in more than just your "Grammar Nazi" ways. For a self-deprecating student and person, I became confident. I knew you believed in me and for that, I finally believed in myself.