Hi, remember me?

I used to sit in the back of your class in the corner, hiding behind others because quite frankly you were always so intimidating. You were quiet, but stern. I was terrified to be called on because I was afraid of answering your extremely thought-provoking questions. I was afraid I wasn't good enough for your class. Admittedly, I was a huge slacker when it came to Honors English. I would procrastinate on huge assignments and stay up hours upon hours to try to complete them because I knew you were a tough grader. Truthfully, I dreaded this class and got stomach pains each time I entered because this was the hardest class I ever took. I always felt so stupid when other kids in the class would give these brilliant answers to your questions and pull some underlying theme from something I considered to be insignificant. I stopped trying. I began to give up and my grades reflected it. I didn't understand why I had such a hard time because I always loved Language Arts.

I wanted to be that student that had all of the answers, but I wasn't. It was rare if I read the book we were reading in class, something I am not proud to admit. I was disappointed in myself and I felt like I never stood out to you. The same kids always answered everything. I think that was another reason why I began to not care. I always felt like such a disappointment. But then we started our poetry section. Something I truly loved. I felt like I was beginning to get myself back, the old me that really tried and always succeeded. I worked so hard on my poetry collection. When I handed it in, you smiled at me and told me my work looked wonderful. That was one of my proudest moments in that class. When you handed my work back to me, I was nervous of the possibility of red pen squiggles across my masterpiece. But I was pleasantly surprised so find sticky notes all through my folder. Sticky notes of compliments. I waited until I got on the bus to read them, tears rolling down my face. I realized at that moment you had noticed me all along. I wasn't just another student. You had believed in me the whole time, even when I didn't. You even had me submit my work in the school literary magazine because you thought it was excellent.

I wish I had appreciated your class more and tried harder. You taught me so many valuable lessons about being human. Making mistakes and overcoming hardships. I ended up signing up for your class again my senior year and loved every minute of it. Honors English will always be my favorite class. And you will always be the teacher I will never forget. Because of you, I decided I was worthy. You inspired me to become a teacher and to never give up on my students, no matter how hard it may be. I wish I could tell you how much I appreciate all of your lessons. And how the world just isn't the same without you here. When I found out you were sick, I never imagined you would pass. You were you...we all believed you were invincible. I feel sorry for the students that will never have you. The ones who will never experience a "Mrs. Pears' Moment" or get to go to your house for a movie night. They won't experience memorizing all of Hamlet's speech, being abandoned for a day for the "Lord of the Flies" experience, or the magic you believed in with carpe diem. There will never be another teacher quite like you. I wish you knew how thankful I am for you. You believing in me was the greatest thing you could have ever done for me. I miss you.