Dear "Teacher",

As I prepare for the end of my first semester as a Senior in college, I find myself still hearing your harsh words about how stupid I was. I still have this voice in my head telling me "maybe graduation isn't as close as you think". That feeling is partly because of you. I doubt I cross your mind at all. To you, I was just some student who caused trouble and failed math tests, but I could never forget you. You were supposed to educate, motivate, and inspire me. I thought that was why you went into the education profession. I guess you went into it to bully students. I was not the only one. You tore down a student who simply struggled, and it was never from a lack of effort.

There were times that I would cry after your class. Sometimes I faked being sick just so I wouldn't have to deal with your ridicule. While you may of been trying to motivate me, you only crushed an already insecure student. You would come into my high school Subway job and make your food into equations. You didn't care if I was in the middle of a rush. You just wanted to prove that you were superior and that I lacked knowledge. You succeeded. As much anger as I have towards you for not being the teacher I needed, I want to thank you. Yes, thank you.

I want to thank you for being my motivation. I decided after my high school graduation I was going to amount to something. I really didn't know how because I was the average student who worked incredibly hard for C's, but I knew one day the world was going to be mine. Your limitations on my success only made me more determined. College is hard needless to say. You have all nighters, exams, challenging courses, and weekly melt downs, but do you want to know how I got through all that? I remind myself that one day I will send you a picture of myself, holding my degree with my cap and gown on. I told myself that I had to prove you wrong.

My desire to make you eat your words were what have kept me going over these last five years. When I called my dad crying, he reminded me why I was working so hard. I had people to prove wrong. I made a name for myself at my university. My time here shaped me into the person that I am. My time here counted for something. I walk around campus and I know the staff, students, and professors. I worked with campus groups and got involved. I became much more than I ever thought I would be. I am proud of myself.

Thank you for not showing me compassion or understanding when I struggled in your class. I am not nearly as angry as I was when I was in high school. That's only because, when I was in high school, I believed you. I believed I was stupid, that I needed to change my goals, and that I was not going to graduate college. The day Iprove you wrong will be the greatest day of my life. The day I put on my cap and gown, walk across the stage, and get my diploma means you were wrong all along.