An open letter to all of my past teachers,

First of all, thank you. Thank you for your undying patience and unwavering encouragement. It's tiring to wake up every day and devote all of yourself to others, but you've made it look so easy. Whether it's a simple smile or a friendly conversation, you always find ways to engage your students in and out of the classroom. You know the value of kindness and know that a little goes a long way, so you spread it where you can. It's the little things teachers do that tend to go the farthest, whether it's yelling out the order of the classes, helping an embarrassed freshman with their locker combination or lending your colored markers for a last minute project.

We spend our whole lives looking toward role models for guidance until we're able to become them ourselves. We tend to assume our parents are who shape us into who we are, and although they do play a role in this, so do our teachers. They become our parents away from home — the ones we look to for guidance in the midst of everyday life. They become a source of stability and comfort even if the sense of stability only comes from knowing they’ll be mad each time you try to eat your Dunkin' Donuts muffin in class.

As a person who struggled in high school, I can personally attest to the power of a teacher's kindness. Their empathy and willingness to understand and help you succeed is often unparalleled in other aspects of your life. These are the people who are some of your biggest supporters and guides. Good teachers are not only what makes a school a safe place, but a home. Among my fondest memories, are all the times I was able to visit my favorite teachers just to chat. There are moments throughout our lives where we recall some of the quirky things we learned from our teachers. Such as "the mitochondria is the power house of the cell," "Let's gogogogo" or "I before e except after c". We carry pieces of our teachers with us throughout our adult lives because they were fundamental in shaping the people we are today. So this is a thank you to all the teachers who have inspired me, encouraged me, supported me and, most importantly, never given up on me. Thank you for being you and choosing to spend your life bettering others because you've truly made all the difference.

Sincerely,

Your student


In loving memory of Susan Bailey — a phenomenal teacher, kind person, fashionista and Celtics enthusiast. You are loved and missed by many.