When I grow up, as if I'm not somewhat grown now, I want to be a teacher. I want to be there for my students, and I want to be a role model. I want to be able to do for my students what my favorite teacher did for me: to inspire. I just want to take a minute to acknowledge you, teach. A minute to let you know how much you did for me, how much you changed my life.

Thank you for being understanding. With my illness, late assignments were inevitable. You always trusted that I would be honorable and do my work whenever I could.

Thank you for being accommodating. Whenever I would have to run out of class, you'd make sure I was seated right by the door. Whenever I missed class, you'd send notes and cards with my work home to me.

Thank you for being encouraging. Whenever I felt I couldn't do anymore, or that I had fallen too far behind, you were there with a smile and a pat on the back, promising me that I could keep going.

Thank you for being brilliant. Every time I would leave your class, my mind would be reeling from the new ideas and concepts you had introduced. You knew the material, you loved the material, and you passed it on to us amazingly.

Thank you for being sweet. Behind every strict assignment, you were there to explain and encourage. You always offered help when needed, no questions asked. If any of your students didn't understand something, you would explain it patiently as many times as it took for them to get it.

Thank you for being tough. Your workload was no joke. You were known as the toughest teacher at Everett High, and for good reason. Your assignments were tough, but I am a much better student now because of the skills I learned through those assignments.

Thank you for being inspiring. You were radiant; you were brilliant. You made me believe in myself. You believed in every single one of your students. You are my role model; I hope to be half as great a teacher and a person as you one day.

So, thanks for everything, teach.

Signed,

An incredibly grateful and loving student