Dear Teacher,

Thank you for allowing me to stay after class so I could talk to you about the things happening in my life, or to get extra help in your class. I don’t know how I would have stayed sane through school without you helping me through it. Thank you for reading-- truly, deeply reading-- what I wrote for your class. And thank you for responding to it in more ways than correcting my grammar. Thank you for being sensitive and understanding of every student's situation. Thank you for teaching me that I shouldn’t choose a career because it pays well and it seems cool. Instead, you taught me that choosing a career means finding the one thing that sets your soul on fire. I found my “thing” because of you.

You showed me what it means to be a teacher. You showed me how to look past the paperwork, all but crappy pay, and testing. You showed me that the true purpose of teaching can’t be found in the content. It’s found when a student confides in you, seeks your guidance, or forms an unbreakable bond with you. That special student/teacher relationship I had with you is exactly what made me want to go into teaching. You showed me what tireless, unconditional love for all children looks like. And you taught me all of this without even realizing it. Your caring nature and endless passion said it all.

You didn’t wake up every morning and say, “I think I’ll be a therapist today.” But you were one. You didn’t intend on being a life coach when you chose your college major. But you became one. You didn’t realize you were my biggest role model and motivator. But I promise, you were. I will forever be thankful that you taught me so much more than your subject content. I promise to carry out your legacy in my own classroom someday soon. I can only hope to be half the inspiration for my students you were for me.

Love Always,