You certainly do not get the credit nor the pay that you deserve. You get to school earlier than your students (which is already far too early) and leave later than them. You spend hours at home grading sub-par papers. You try to motivate students to learn even when you’re aware that its 7 A.M. and they just rolled out of bed fifteen minutes ago. You prepare students for college, for a career, for life. You write recommendations, revise college essays, and give advice on where to go or who to become. Often times, your hard work goes unnoticed. If it is noticed, we, as students, certainly do not appreciate it to the extent we should. Dealing with a bunch of unmotivated, lazy, careless teenagers every day is not easy. It wasn’t until I had gone off to college did I realize this. I wasn’t able to properly thank you then, so I’m here to thank you now.
You taught me how to have a voice. I’m quiet, I don’t share my opinion much because, quite frankly, I don’t think that everyone wants or needs to hear it. I’m laid back and I go with the flow. I don’t like to go against the grain. Through your teaching, though, you taught me that sometimes I do need to voice my opinion. Sometimes, I shouldn’t be so laid back. Sometimes, I do need to go against the grain. You taught me how to write efficiently and effectively and although that is a great skill to have, having a voice is far more important. You showed me what it’s like to have a voice that’s loud and wants to be heard, both in writing and in life. You taught me the importance of sticking up for myself even when it may be the unpopular decision or opinion.
When I finally did voice my thoughts, you pushed me to my limits, challenging me with questions like, “Why do you think that?” You stretched me out of my comfort zone. You made me make sure that I was certain and confident in what I was saying, that I’d choose either the black or the white, no grey. You made me choose a side instead of being so wishy-washy, instead of saying, “I see both sides’ points. I can’t choose. I don’t have an opinion. I don’t care.” You made me choose. You made me have an opinion. You made me care.
It takes one teacher, if it’s the right one, to make a difference in a student’s life, to make them change, to help them be a better person. You taught me about writing and that counts for something, but you taught me more about myself than I knew before and let me tell you, that counts for everything.
I’m a firm believer that when someone makes an impact in your life, they deserve to know. It’s so important to let people know when and how they’ve improved your life because, well, isn’t that everyone’s ultimate goal? To make a difference in someone else’s life?
Mrs. Soucy, this one's for you.
