I have never been good at math. Ever since I did my first “Mad Minute” in the first grade, I knew that the subject did not come easily to me. Throughout elementary school and some of middle school I had certain accommodations, like using a calculator on state-mandated tests and all that jazz, to help me with my dyscalculia. Around the sixth grade, I began to no longer fully need these accommodations and continued on for the rest of middle school and high school without them.

However, no longer needing these accommodations did not mean that math was at all easier for me. I still took longer than most of my classmates did on tests and quizzes, and I worked my butt off trying to get decent grades in the subject.

Despite my efforts to excel, I still had many setbacks. The math class that I took during my senior year of high school was extremely difficult for me. It was faster paced than most of the math classes I had taken before and I struggled immensely. I did what I could to do my best. I retook everything I could, I met with my teacher when I was free, I met with countless other teachers, and I had friends tutor me before other classes and during study hall. Still, it was difficult for me.

Unfortunately, the teacher that I had at the time did not quite understand. The teacher lectured me on my work ethic and at one point told another student in front of me that I needed more help than everyone else. I started many mornings and ended many school days crying.

In spite of all this, and looking back on it now, I want to thank this teacher. Because of this teacher, I realized that I am so much more than my math abilities. I may not be great at the subject and I may have done a happy dance at the end of my first semester of college when I realized I would never have to take another math class, but I know where my strengths are. Because of this teacher, I had to stand up for myself and make my voice heard. Because of this teacher, I learned to ask for help and learned that is okay to bare your insecurities. Most importantly, I learned that doing things differently than the way they are given to you can be wonderful and that imperfections are beautiful. It is for all of this that I thank this teacher.

I also want to thank this teacher for making me appreciate all of the teachers that I have had.

So thank you to the teachers who taught me math when I was not even their student. Thank you to the teachers I had who encouraged me to speak my mind. Thank you to the teachers I had who knew that I could do so much more than what I thought I could. And thank you to the teachers that listened.

In conclusion, thank you to all teachers. Even if you may not be every student’s favorite, you still made a positive impact on someone’s life out there, even without realizing it.