Some people loved high school, and some people didn't. I identify as part of the latter group. High school was hard. There was drama everywhere. Kids could be mean. And on top of that, there was the stress of applying to colleges and studying for the SATs and AP exams. Sometimes it all got too overwhelming. I was very lucky, though. I had numerous teachers that cared and were there for me and for that, I will be forever thankful.
Thank you for believing in me. You were constantly supportive and there with a smiling face to greet me as I walked in the door. When things got stressful, you were there to listen.
Thank you for setting the standards high. While the pressure to be the best I could be was stressful at times, you showed me that I could do it. You expected me to do great things and I couldn't let you down. Thank you for pushing me.
Thank you for never failing to offer help and encouraging your students to ask for help when they need it.
Thank you for genuinely caring about your students. People say that in order for students to care, teachers must show that they care too. That couldn't be harder for the truth. You were passionate about what you were teaching, and that made me passionate too.
The constant drama and insecurity that filtered through the halls often made me feel like I didn't matter. But, when you showed that you cared about me as a person and student, I felt like I mattered. Even though high school made me feel down, you made me feel a lot better. For the forty or so minutes I was in your class, I was able to forget everything else that was going on.
When I sit down and think about what you do all day, I know I couldn't do it. I cannot imagine having the patience to be with teenagers all day in their worst moods. I commend you for that. What you do isn't easy (at all).
Thank you for the time you spent reading over my college essays and writing my college recommendation letters. You didn't have to spend your free time giving me feedback.
While I may not come back to visit high school over breaks, I miss you and will never forget all that you did for me. It's a little too soon to come back to high school. Maybe a few years from now, I'll send you an email to let you know what I'm up to.
Thank you for everything. I wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't have you to get me though the hard time we call high school. I will never forget what you did for me. I hope that every kid gets to have a teacher like you.
Sincerely,
Your Now College Age Student
