At the time, I didn't understand why you gave me so much work.

From chapter outlines to poetry responses to complicated calculus problems. I was up to my eyes in work my senior year. Balancing all my academic work and a part time job meant my social life didn't exist, much to my dismay.

I ran myself ragged; I felt like I couldn't catch my breath, but despite all that, I succeeded greatly at the end of my high school career, and I only have my teachers to thank.

Never in my life have I met teachers who cared more than the ones I'd had in my high school career. Not only did they push me to do better but they also showed an interest in who I was and what I cared about.

I wasn't just another body for them to watch for 90 minutes and maybe try to teach some material to. There was never a moment that I sat in their classrooms that felt like I would be persecuted or chastised for my opinions.

The environments they built made going to their class feel like going home.

The passion these teachers had for teaching influenced me than they will ever know.

Their influence led me to find what I loved, and now, I am following my dreams in college. Not only am I majoring in Biological Sciences but I am also minoring in Classics. Most times, people would say those don't go together, and well, they'd be right, but they're two areas where my interest never ceases. I hold both of these subjects close to my heart, just as my teachers did.

As the child of an educator, I know how thankless of a job teaching can be; however, I don't believe I can ever stop thanking these teachers for everything they have done for me.

Understanding my procrastination and apathy, holding me accountable for my responsibilities, and teaching me irreplaceable lessons are some of the many things they did for me. I could go on and on, but for the sake of brevity, I'll save you from that.

Out of all the things you've done for me, the most important and long lasting is that you cheered me on; you supported me, even when I didn't think I was capable of all I accomplished. You always believed in me, and I can never forget that.