Everybody has had their fair share of high school teachers who never did more than teach to the test and collect a paycheck. Sure, a public high school education is free, but it's frustrating and disappointing nonetheless when we feel like a burden to a teacher who's just trying to get through the day. So, this is to the high school teachers who go above and beyond; to the high school teachers who care about the students more than their test scores, and as a result, see their students succeed. This is to those who set out to be teachers because they care about the betterment of generations to come, and just happen to get paid for it too.

Thank you.

You are the teachers who's classes inspired my choice in major now in college. Your genuine interest in what you taught and those you taught it to reflects greatly on your students' appreciation of that subject matter and the interest we take now in learning more about it. The time and effort you put in beyond what's outlined in your job description doesn't go unnoticed, especially now in retrospect. While most deliver their lessons day after day, and treat each class as nothing more than a job, you treat it as an opportunity to invest in the next generation. You go the extra mile to see your students succeed and make a difference in the world as they leave the high school campus for good.

Most of us spend four years on the same campus, doing the same thing every day where the only thing that changes is the next test we prepare for. Your classes are a breath of fresh air. You've sparked a passion for learning in many that extends far beyond the walls of your classroom. Your interest in what you teach is often contagious, and the effect is lasting. You may not always see the final outcome of your efforts, but your impact is on many. Thank you for not settling for average for yourself, or for your students.