Throughout all my years of schooling, there was always one distinguishing factor that made me love or hate a particular grade; my teacher. I remember specific moments with teachers who would take time out of their day to reexplain something for the hundredth time. I remember specific moments with teachers who had a mountain of work to grade but instead spent their time investing in me. I remember specific moments with teachers who reminded me and my classmates that our education stretched beyond the walls of the school. I remember specific moments where my personal life inhibited my academic performance with teachers who hugged me and helped me through the difficulties. I remember specific moments with teachers who pushed me to work harder when they know I wasn't giving my best. I remember specific moments with teachers when I realized that they saw their job as something so much deeper. My experiences in elementary school, middle school, and high school helped show me that I want to be a teacher too. I want to pour into students the way you have poured into me. I want to make an impact on a child the way you have impacted me.

I know that the paperwork can pile up high. I know that the pay is minimal. I know that there are difficult days. I know that some days you feel like you're not making a difference. I know that sometimes you believe that there is nothing you can do. I know that teaching sometimes become a lot about district politics. I know that administration can often make decisions that don't seem to make sense. I know that you get tired. I know that you get worn out. I know that you sometimes think we don't care about what you do. But, you should know that all of those things that you go through and deal with are nothing compared to the impact you are making on your students. The impact you've made on me. I see that sometimes you get frustrated, but don't give up! Keep loving your students and caring deeply about them. They will notice and they will thank you.

So thank you teachers. Thank you for grading our work and pushing us to be better students. Thank you for choosing to be a teacher despite how little the pay is. Thank you for recognizing that the good days outweigh the bad and starting each day fresh. Thank you for making a difference in our lives, because you are. Thank you for believing in us and helping us even when we try to tell you we don't want you to. Thank you for dealing with the politics behind the scenes and committing to do your job to the best of your ability. Thank you for following the standards that make us better students while teaching us to be great learners. Thank you for getting up each day and putting in countless hours. Thank you for smiling through the exhaustion. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being our teachers.