I have spent many years in school.

I have earned my high school diploma and will begin my journey to earn my college degree. I have made many decisions that have influenced the path I will take for the rest of my life. I balanced my personal life with my school and work life.

Even though I would spend hours dealing with customers and I would go home stressed, nothing could prepare me for the amount of stress you as a teacher could cause me.

I had high hopes walking into your classroom on the first day of school that you would be a positive influence on me and I would learn and blossom under your instruction. However, it turned into a constant muttering of "just give them another chance" or "just give them another year". I gave away too many chances to you. I kept my hopes high that this year was going to be a good year. Every chance I gave you, you took it and gave me back disappointment. Not only did you make me feel as if I was accepted, but you made me feel every day of instruction as if I was not good enough.

For some people, it may be taken as encouragement to do better. "They're just being honest with you. They want you to work harder" people would tell me. I didn't buy it.

By the time the next school year came around and I had your class yet again, I knew I was in for one of the wildest rides I've ever been on. I just wanted to make my senior year the best year I have ever had. I wanted to leave high school with a million memories of how amazing it was and truly all I have to remember from it is of memories with friends outside of school, crying at least once every week after your class, or sitting in the principal's office.

I can't say I regret taking your class in the first place and then keeping my schedule once I saw I had you again. You are one of the most influential people I have met in my life. You have influenced me to make sure that when I become an adult with a college degree in one hand and a job application in another, I am prepared to accept the responsibilities of the job, including those not on the application. I know that when I am working in my chosen career I will not only be filing paperwork and teaching students how to count. I will have to care about each person I work with. I will listen to feedback and respond to it.

We always hear about how the good teachers influence students' lives, but we don't consider the damage a bad teacher can do. Thank you for being the negative role model I needed to inspire me. You've instilled the fear in me to not end up like you and to motivate me to be the best person I can be.

Sincerely,

The Force to Be Reckoned With