Dear Future Students,
I can't wait to meet you. I can't wait to get to know you, to identify and catalog each of your personalities and learning styles. I can't wait to teach you and to learn from you in turn, but above all, I can't wait to be a part of your life, however small.
You see, I'm still a student myself on a long, arduous journey to becoming your teacher, and I just know that all of my hard work will pay off in an incredible way. And I don't mean monetarily. I didn't choose to become a teacher for the salary, by any means; I chose to become a teacher for the fulfillment and experience of sharing my passion with you and watching you grow and learn through it.
I write this letter with the intention of reaching a common understanding before we even meet. I want each of you to know that I get that you'll have off days where you're not a your best. I get that you may not love the subject that I teach as much as I do. I get that you have far greater and more exciting things happening in your ever-changing lives than what you'll be learning in my classroom, but however busy and chaotic your days may be, know that I am here for you, that I am cheering you on in every endeavor you pursue. Know that my intention is not to bog you down with homework or torture you with projects and papers. I simply want to see you blossom and better yourself and that can only be achieved through hard work and perseverance on both of our behalves.
For you, I have had only one overarching goal since I set out to become a teacher: to be able to apply the skills and techniques that I teach you to the real world. Whether you decide to become a mechanic or a doctor, I want you to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to move to the next phase in your life and, ultimately, achieve your dreams. I'm not here to suffocate you with college brochures and applications or musings about my alma mater (although I'm sure the administration would frown upon my lack of doing so), but rather, I'm here to help you transition into life outside the walls of high school.
Most importantly, I want you to know that I view each of you as an individual, as a person. You are not defined by your score on a standardized test, an AP exam, or the ACT or the SAT. You are not defined by your participation in remedial courses or your proficiency in any subject area. You are not defined by your learning style. You are not defined by your disability, whether it be learning based or otherwise, or your weaknesses. Like myself, you are a living, breathing human being, and that means that we are flawed. We are not and will never be perfect by any standard, but we can do our best. It's my job to teach you as well as I can, and in turn, it's your job to give me all the effort that you can.
When you set foot in my classroom on the first day of school, I want you to know that I choose you. I choose you and your education. I choose you exactly the way you are. You are my whole world, even before we've exchanged introductions, and I will never take that or you for granted. So thank you (in advance, of course) for allowing me to be your teacher and for being my student.
Sincerely,
Your Future Teacher
