All through your career as a student, you have different types of teachers. You have the strict rule-enforcers, the relatable almost-friends, the laidback chillers. And if you're lucky, you'll have a few golden teachers that teach you about the world, about life, and about yourself. I've had a few of these teachers in my lifetime, and I thank my lucky stars that I had them in my life.

These teachers not only teach you the necessary reading, writing, and arithmetic, but they also teach you how the world works, how to treat others, and how you should demand to be treated in this world. There's something so special about a teacher making you feel like you belong, and guiding you through this crazy world we live in. These teachers need to be shown how much they are actually appreciated because without them we wouldn't even have a chance to go out and do great things in this world. We need to show them that we are grateful for showing us the way to make our dreams come true.

Throughout elementary, middle and high school, I've been fortunate enough to have a few of these magnificent teachers, and I hope I'm making them proud. They gave me the tools to make big things happen for myself, so I want to show them that I listened to their wise words.

These incredible teachers that were in my life may be reading this (shout out to y'all for letting us finally be Facebook friends), so if you are, please read the following message: thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me, on the education level and beyond. Thank you for showing me that is it IS actually cool to LIKE school. Thank you for showing me that I need to stand up for myself and that I should treat others the way they want to be treated. Thank you for showing me the meaning of true friendship and support. Thank you for making me excited to walk into a classroom every day and learn.

There's an endless amount of fond memories I have stored away for when college gets too overwhelming, or when I don't feel like sitting through a boring 8 a.m. lecture. I know I can always look back and remember playing the glockenspiel in Mrs. Blackburn's 3rd-grade music class (Hi, Birthday Buddy!!!!), pouring my heart out to Mrs. Ligocki about the love of my life in 7th grade, or crying on Mrs. Richmond's shoulder when the high school world got too hard. To these teachers and all the rest, thank you for making me the strong, smart, loving girl I am today. I wouldn't be who I am without you — as a student or otherwise.