Your class was the first one I walked into freshman year. All of us chose seats and sat there in silence until you came in and began. You prayed for us and I was so excited that faith really was going to be a part of the classroom, that wasn't just a saying in the brochure. I was in your class to check off a Gen-Ed, I wasn't expecting it to change my whole college experience.

You made us feel welcome and cared about. Whether it was making homemade chicken soup and delivering it to our dorm room when one of us got sick or having us all over to your house for dinner, we knew that you cared about more than just the grades on our tests.

When I emailed you to apologize that I couldn't take one of your classes because of another conflicting class, you could have just let it be, but I'm so thankful you didn't. You instead encouraged me to come to the class sessions I could and meet with you one on one to make up the other material.

Thank you for giving me a love of a subject I wasn't expecting. Thank you for singing and dancing with us and making learning a joy. I wish I could take all of my classes from you.

From listening to me during a semester that was incredibly challenging for me personally, to sharing recipes and encouraging me to pursue my dreams, you have been such a wonderful source of wisdom and help.

At the beginning of this semester, you explained to the students who hadn't had a class from you before that you sort of adopt your students and you're right. You took us under your wing and make sure we always have someone in our corner.

Thank you for bringing your faith into the classroom, for allowing us to share our beliefs, and for teaching us so much more than grammar and vocabulary. You have taught us what it means to love others, serve without considering the cost to yourself, and to find joy in everything.

Thank you for taking the time to not only teach the syllabus material but to invest in us as people. We're forever grateful.