I’m just going to be frank about my major. I’m an Early Childhood Education major with another major in English Writing. I’m not pursuing special education or even bilingualism, even though many people are. This is for all my fellow classmates, other future teachers and even myself: breathe.

I say this because, with a crazy semester filled with assignments, papers and, worst of all, lesson plans, I often forget to do so. The dreaded lesson plan that keeps us up all night -- one for every subject. We get nervous, especially around observation time when our supervisors sit in on our classes. It’s no piece of cake like everyone else believes. It requires a chunk of your weekend to perfect them, making sure that there’s some form of differentiated instruction. Yes, this term might haunt you if you're stuck with making a lesson that becomes universal for every individual student.

You didn’t think that juggling all that work would be so difficult. You're so close to done that you can taste that degree and your graduation cap. Your excitement to start teaching is beyond words. You worked hard for this. In fact, some of you might have stayed in college for more than four years in order to achieve this. Some of you might have even changed your major, or gone back to college to get that degree. You're passionate about what you do, even if you want to pull out your hair. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your students learn and grow. Your passion will show in your students’ excitement for learning.

All this stress that you're experiencing will be worth it. This includes the failures and the times you were told that your lesson plan could be better. Nobody’s perfect. Teachers in schools aren't perfect either. There’s no such thing as a perfect teacher, only a hard-working teacher. There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes, because you learn from them. When you learn, you become better at what you do. Practice makes perfect, which is what you are currently doing now. Don’t be discouraged at the moment, thinking it’s best you give up now while you’re ahead. Don’t let any professors, supervisors, teachers or even grades tell you that you aren't qualified. If you love what you're doing, there’s always room for improvement.

You might have already heard all this, but I’m saying it again because I know that it might even push me to keep going. We're all so close. Some might be closer than others, but we all strive to be that teacher. We remember the days of our youth with our own teachers. Don't tell me that you don’t remember your favorite teachers and even the not-so-great ones. They influenced you in some way along your journey. Some were down-to-earth and caring, while others were strict and by-the-book. You remember, and ask yourself what kind of teacher you want to be. Doesn’t that motivate you to keep going by pushing forward against all odds and obstacles?

Be excited that you'll be doing something you love, rather than doing something that will make you miserable for the rest of your life. Don't listen to the pessimists who tell you that teachers don't make that much money. Don’t let what others say affect what your heart wants. Be proud of your accomplishments. You're another step closer to fulfilling your dreams. You aren’t alone, and you will survive. You are the future generation of teachers. You will change children's lives. Remember, your work is important. You make an impact, so don’t think about giving up. The day will come when you get there, and you will breathe a sigh of relief, knowing you succeeded.