To my first class,

You will always have a special place in my heart. I hope you know that every step along the way I was cheering you on. Every disappointment you felt, I felt that too. Every accomplishment you made and the smile it brought to your face, I had one to match. You will never know how much strategy I put into every decision I ever made, from where you sat at a desk, where you stood in line, and so much more. Every part of the school day, I put so much thought into. Everything I did was to make sure you would succeed. You will never know how many hours I spent perfecting a lesson, or how the year was filled with a lot of laughter in the classroom, but some tears outside. Or how it was never easy to give consequences for unacceptable behavior, but it was always with the intention to teach a lesson. You will never know how much joy it brought me when you finally caught on to something that was hard for you. You will never know the amount of time, money, and energy it took to make sure the classroom was a place you always wanted to come to, and I'm okay with that. What I hope you do remember from your time with me is how much you were loved and cared for. I hope you know that aside from your families, I was always your biggest fan. You will never know that while I was teaching you, you were also teaching me. I hope you will always know that even though you are no longer in my class, you can always come to me. Because of you, I'm a better teacher, and I will never forget the impact you have had on my life.❤️

Love,

Your second grade teacher, Ms. Long