Dear teachers,
Five years ago, I donned I plaid kilt, slipped into a sweater vest, and nervously walked into high school. Back then, you probably knew me as the quiet girl who dutifully did her work, but spoke only a few words here and there. I was content getting my grades and observing my surroundings. But you weren’t content. You weren’t content letting me sit in the back and not speak my mind. You weren’t content having me simply read the novel without hearing my character analysis. You weren’t content watching me not live up to my potential, a potential I didn’t even knew existed. But you recognized it in me, and refused to not let me see it in myself. And for that, I can’t thank you enough.
While you were tirelessly working to instill self-confidence in me, you also provided me with an outstanding education. While I might not have appreciated it at the time, I am now very grateful that you made me read that seemingly impossible work by Kierkegaard, solve that challenging trig problem, and write that ten-page research paper. Because of assignments like these, I was more than prepared for the college workload. Also, I know there were those long days when the last thing you wanted to see was me walking through your door, armed with 100 questions. But, you never let that show, and instead stayed hours after school making sure I received answers. You taught me never to be afraid to question, and most importantly seek truth. And because of you, nearly every single college professor I had this year was treated to frequent long office hour visits filled with many questions. Quite the change from the silent freshman girl who sat in the corner of your classroom a few short years ago.
In four years, you empowered a shy girl to set the world on fire. You took the phrase, “girls can do anything boys can do” to a whole new level. You never let me and my 84 peers (and sisters) forget that we were the catalysts for change in the world. You laughed with us when we were silly, you cried with us when we were sad, and showered us always with love. You created an environment of welcome and encouraged each one of us to embrace our differences so that we might be stronger together. I know you don’t often get the credit you deserve, and for that I am truly sorry. The role you have played in my life is priceless, and I will forever be grateful for all the lessons, both about academics and life, that you have taught me. So, from the former quiet girl, silently pleading she wouldn’t be called on, this now confident, happy, and inspired young woman would like to thank you for helping make her who she is today. Because of you, she is going to set the world on fire.
Thank you,
A Grateful Former Student