To Teachers,

You are the backbone to a strong, functional society. You are tasked with creating the next generation of educated citizens, professionals, and leaders. You're not only educators. You're role models, champions, and sources of guidance for students. You don't only have the ability to teach about the history of the world, the literature of classical writers, the technical formulas of mathematics, the biology of human beings, the words of a new language. You have the potential to encourage your students, help them develop their own personhood, acknowledge their individual abilities, and set them on a path to become agents of change.

I understand that it's not always easy. In fact, most times it's never easy. Your job can be a great joy at times and exhausting at others. You put great time and effort into your work. Creating your lessons, teaching them, assigning homework and tests, grading those assignments and trying to live your own life is a tough balance to maintain, but your hard work does not go unnoticed. As the bearer and giver of knowledge, you are challenged with the task of imparting that knowledge to your students, who may not always be in the mood to learn. In these times, thank you for your persistence and patience, because we all know how frustrating it can get when people just simply fail to listen to us.

Like with any field, there are those who display a great passion for their work and enjoy the people that they interact with, while others are merely concerned with getting paid. In education especially, there are always those types of teachers that genuinely care and focus more on the student than the paycheck, and to these teachers, I say thank you. Thank you for managing to always place the interests of your students before your own. Thank you for valuing the needs and successes of your students. Thank you for not only educating but also inspiring them.

I have had the good fortune of being taught by some of the nicest, most caring teachers who see the student beyond his or her grade and academic performance. These are the kinds of teachers that recognize that every student is different and has his or her own set of interests and strengths. They understand that they have the power to impact and shape their students and their outlooks on life. They see that the classroom invites a diverse group of backgrounds, talents, and perspectives, and they acknowledge the need to cultivate that inner spark within each one of their students.

You are not their parents nor are you paid to treat them as if you were, but there are those that do take on that responsibility. It's important to note that as teachers, you certainly play a significant role in students' lives whether you realize it or not. Never underestimate your power to truly make a difference. You are more important than you think because it is also your influence that determines if students should embark on a journey to success.