Starting in a new school, knowing no teachers and only a couple of the students, I had little faith that I would make any strong connections, especially a bond with you. If anything, I thought the total opposite. Although you were only my teacher for a short five months, you are forever someone I look up to.

Thank you for all the times you sat on dirty school floors with me and for the times I was frustrated and stormed out of your class and understanding the reasoning behind it even when I didn't completely understand myself. Thank you for helping me through one of the hardest times in my life and always making sure I had a shoulder to cry on. Most of all, thank you for taking the time out of your day to teach me not just the curriculum, but about life.

Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone and always trying to lead me in the right direction. You were my go to person when some issue occurred. There are many things I can thank you for a thousand times over, and even then, words still wouldn’t be able to explain how much I appreciate you.

If students took time out of their day to actually get to know you, then they would realize that you are more than the person you seem to be at first glance. You have pushed me to do my best and always believed in me, especially when I didn’t believe in myself. I have accomplished so many things I never thought of being able to, thanks to your support and motivation. You have helped me become who I am today.

You put your all into your students and your job. Even though not all students gave you the respect you deserved, you treated us all like your own. You have always made sure each and every student had been treated with the respect they deserved.

Your elective course was never my favorite, but having you as my teacher was. Your positivity, even when things were negative for you, got both you and I through. Especially when some days were harder than others, you always found a way to help me pull through to be myself again.

Sharing the last half of my sophomore year with you had such a positive impact on me mentally and physically. I was never the easiest to have as a student, until big opportunities came around, and you were there to help guide me every step. You have helped me turn my whole outlook on life around, and for that, I am forever grateful.
I looked forward to having you as a teacher for the rest of my high school years.

I understand that every person has to move on in life, and as much as it saddens me that you will no longer be my teacher, other kids deserve the opportunity to get to know you like I do. They deserve to have you be the constant reminder that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. You are one of my biggest role models, and I will forever cherish every little and big thing you have helped me accomplish.