As I begin to wrap up my undergraduate career and most likely never return to the classroom (let’s be honest), I think it’s time I thank the teacher I never had. I only hope that the teachers I had from all the way back in my younger years felt my gratitude in one way or another through my shy, little voice whispering a thank you upon exiting the classroom most likely at the end of the year.

Now, there is a particular school teacher though, that I know never got that gratitude out of my shy, little voice to fully grasp the amount of appreciation I have for him. And that was because I never walked out of his classroom.

This teacher tries for his students harder. He cares harder. He prays harder. He loves his family harder. He never gives up. Harder.

I just so happen to be the daughter of this man. And privileged at that might I add. To know someone who is changing the minds of little ones with all the effort he puts in to what he does, teaching his students more than the core-curriculum, working tirelessly… yep, that’s my daddy.

He is not just a teacher to his students and to me though. He is my friend, and an old one that’s for sure. When I am able to get past the teacher voice that naturally comes out of him, I am able to realize the teachings he brings me in my daily life out of his classroom setting. From teaching me to drive, to helping me with my finances, and all the midnight-stressed-out-what-do-I-do phone calls in between.

Dad, you model for me what it is to be a respectful, capable, seeking, dedicated individual of my own life. As you told me growing up, your only hope is for your three children to be “productive members of society.” I will be because of you.

My dad is just one example of a teacher I have had in my life. Tying with my dad is my mom, my #1 fan. After that, my list goes on and on. These “teachers” may be actual teachers, but they are also our parents, our parents’ friends, our families, our counselors, our peers, people years younger than us, or even strangers you witness doing good deeds when they think no one is watching. I know there are people out there that have been a teacher to me in one shape or form that I don’t know personally and they themselves don’t know they were a teacher to me.

There are teachers in our lives that we take for granted. We don’t say enough thank you's because we may not realize the need for that big final farewell “thank you for all they have done” type of moment. There isn’t a final time that we walk out of their class. They are just always helping us.

So thank you, Dad/Mr. Blaszko, and all of my teachers. You have taught me more than you will ever know. There are not enough thank you's that can be said. Thank you, teachers of my life.

These teachings never end. The end of my academia has only given me the opportunity to realize it.

Be that teacher to someone. I hope to be. Pass it on.