Without teachers, students wouldn't learn how to read, write, count, multiply, divide, learn about the history of our country, or the rest of the world, and so, so many other things. Without teachers, there is absolutely NO education...that's the bottom line. Teachers provide students with the foundation upon which they will continue to build their knowledge for the rest of their lives. Teachers inspire students to strive towards their goals. And they do everything in their power to instill the ideals of hard-work and perseverance within the students they teach, so that these children won't give up until they have achieved their goals. Teachers work hard to make a difference in the life of every individual that comes through their classroom door, and yet they are appreciated so little.

To Educators,

You don't receive the credit or the recognition that you deserve, and I sincerely apologize for that. I'm sorry for all that you have to put up with in and out of the classroom between students and parents, all the extra money you personally have to spend in order to obtain necessary school supplies, all the testing you must ensure your students are prepared for, all the planning and grading that eat up your time off work; because, let's be real, the 30-45 minute "planning period" you get each day isn't enough time to get all the crap done. You do all of this willingly and with no complaints. Simultaneously, you devote your time daily to the children you teach, attempting to spark a love of learning into each of your students' young hearts. But you don't receive even a fraction of what you're worth in return. You are important. You are CRUCIAL to society as a whole, and sadly, many individuals often overlook your significance in their lives.

But you do make a difference in people's lives! And although some individuals may overlook your significance, not all people do...especially not those who make the decision to pursue a career in education. Ever since the 3rd grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Sure, I entertained the idea of pursuing a few other careers throughout high school and the first year or so of college...nursing, dental hygiene, journalism...but I was always drawn back to teaching. I believe that teaching is the kind of career that some people are called to do, and maybe that sounds completely insane, but honestly, it takes a special kind of person to willingly go to school everyday for the rest of their lives until they retire...literally. It takes a special kind of person to have the patience to put up with children, and all of the nonsense that comes along with them, every single day. It takes a special kind of person to be a teacher.

When I made the decision to pursue a career in Education, I knew what I was getting myself into. I knew that I was pursuing a career in which I will always be underpaid and under-appreciated. I knew that people around me would make unnecessary comments on how little money I was going to make, how easy it should be to obtain my degree, and how it really doesn't matter where I end up going to school since it's just an education degree. But I knew that I was making the right decision because teaching is something that I am passionate about. You don't pursue a career in education for money; you pursue a career in education because you want to make a difference in the lives of others, in the same way that your former teachers made a difference in you.

So this is my way of saying thank you to all my former teachers and the teachers around me for being lights in my life! Thank you for investing your time in me and every student that has ever walked through your door. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me and my goals. Thank you for pushing me to be my best, and always looking out for my well-being. Thank you for having such big, beautiful hearts and using them to pour love into your students!

HUGE thank you to some of the best teachers I've ever had, you guys are incredible!!

3rd grade: Ms. Vratil & Ms. Cyrus

4th grade: Ms. Jackson & Ms. Simmons

5th grade: Ms. Jeffries & Mr. Gardella

6th grade: Ms. Cronk

7th grade: Mr. Rubey

8th grade: Mr. Isham

9th grade: Mr. Johnson, Ms. Weilacher, Ms. Glidden & Ms. Mahaffey

10th grade: Ms. Loghry, Ms. Allen, Ms. Henry, Mr. Peterson & Ms. Kristi Rodgers

11th grade: Mr. Engle & Ms. Gershater

12th grade: Ms. Workun & Ms. Good

Freshman Year of College: Professor Trimble, Professor Thompson, Professor Paige, Professor Culpepper, & Professor Donna Niemi