Teaching is one of, if not the, hardest occupations around. Teaching is so much more than "babysitting" and is not your typical 9-to-5 job. Teachers spend countless minutes, days and even months reviewing the same things over and over again so that we can learn, grow and develop. A teacher's job does not end at 2:30 p.m. when the last period bell rings. She simply packs up her bags, drags the notebooks, journals, essays, and other various assignments from her students home with her, spends hours grading, and probably even thinks about her "kids" — and maybe even says a little prayer for their safety and well-being that night.

I have been so blessed throughout my years of elementary, middle school, high school and college to have had the best teachers and professors in the world. I wish my measly thank-you was enough to show just how thankful I am for you and the difference you all have made in my life.

Thank you for:

1. Never giving up on me

Let's be honest, at times (many times) I was not always the greatest student in the world or the easiest to teach and love. There were many times when I had a bad day, wasn't catching on to the lessons you were teaching and simply just had difficulty sitting still and not getting distracted. Some days I was extremely sassy and rebelled. Some days I was extra sensitive or emotional and just wasn't having it. However, every single time you were always there, slowly bringing me back to the group, teaching me in ways that made sense to me, and loving me anyway — regardless of how much I liked to talk and get distracted. You never gave up or quit loving on me. You always loved me harder and helped me get through anything that came my way. Thank you.

2. Always encouraging me to do my best — even when my best wasn't always good enough

Intelligence is something that comes very naturally for some people. For other people, like myself, it does not always come so smoothly and quickly, and so I really have to work for it. I always envied the kids in my class who could get 100 percent on all of their spelling and reading tests, when I struggled really hard to make a C or B. I remember so many different times when I would cry and get upset because my 'good enough' was never enough. That is, it never topped my peers and always seemed like just enough to squeak by.

Thank you to the teachers who took the extra time out of their busy schedules to pull me aside, review with me a few more times, and always told me that it doesn't matter what he made or she made; all that mattered was what I made.

I will never forget the happiness that was shared between me and one of my favorite teachers ever, the late Mrs. Mary Frances Brake. She pulled me aside one Friday morning in fourth grade as she just finished passing back our spelling tests. She would always hand out a Tootsie Roll Pop to everyone who made a perfect score — which was the majority of the class. There were many weeks when I went home Tootsie Roll Pop-less. Every Friday, she would bend down to my level, look me in the eyes and say, "Next week, Tay, I know it!" Finally, that "next week" came. She handed my test back last and, reaching into her pocket, she handed me a Tootsie Roll Pop. My eyes lit up, but so did hers as she leaned in and whispered, "I told you next week would come."

Her encouragement many years ago made such a difference to me and has allowed myself to keep pushing and do my best, regardless of anything else. She helped me believe in myself and I cannot thank her enough for that. I can't wait to share Tootsie Roll Pops with her again some day in Heaven.

3. Seeing me as more than just another student passing through

Teachers get 20-25 new students every single year. If the teacher has been there awhile, he or she has seen hundreds of students. Something I absolutely loved with the majority of all my teachers growing up was that I was always seen as different, individual and unique. Instead of just seeing me as another student passing through and spending the next 180 days in their classroom, I was separate. I was cared for. I was respected. I was seen as me. I wasn't another kid they had to try to teach and get along with for the next few months. My teachers and professors have each taken the time to get to know me, and in most cases, my family too — creating a personal friendship and bond — making me feel special.

4. Being kind, caring and understanding

Sadly, in today's society, a lot of kids come to school stressed out and weighed down by issues going on in their home lives. Sometimes life happens and students find themselves in sticky situations, not able to make it to class, unable to finish their assignments and other various issues related to school. My senior year of high school and throughout my four years of college, I found myself being that student from time to time. Because of my dad's health, I had extra tasks to do at home, finding myself occasionally having to miss class or forgetting to turn in a paper or two. While these absences were excusable, it was never an issue to my teachers. They never once questioned my whereabouts or criticized me for falling asleep in class or forgetting my work. Every one of them in both high school and college worked with me, checked in, and offered all the support, love, and prayers they had. If it were not for my kind, caring and understanding teachers and professors, I'm not sure I would have made it through the difficult years of my dad's illnesses.

5. Inspiring me to teach

Because of the amazing influence and impact all of my teachers and professors have had on my life, I have decided to pursue the teaching field. It is wild to think in a few short weeks I will be graduating college and able to work in a classroom and teach students of my own. Throughout all of my clinicals and teaching experiences thus far, I have used teaching methods and encouragement that was shared with me from teachers I have had in the past. The positivity that was shown to me as a student has influenced me to become a teacher and make a difference in my future students' lives. I want nothing more than to show them the love, encouragement, and kindness that was shown to me. I cannot thank my teachers and professors enough for shaping my life. I hope to walk in their footsteps someday very soon.

To the teachers reading this, many days go by where you may question if you are actually making a difference and teaching us anything worthwhile. Let me assure you that you are. You are succeeding and deserve so much more than words can say. Thank you.