It’s crazy how one trimester in a U.S. History class can influence a person so much. I hated history. I hated social studies. But on the first day of your class, I knew it would be different.

Sure, the class still sucked sometimes. Sorry, bud. But you made learning history more interesting to me. Having that class to start my day every day for twelve weeks was one of the best parts of my high school career. I had some of my favorite people in that class, and I had no idea that eventually one of my favorite people would include the teacher.

A lot of people have their favorite teachers, and generally those teachers are favorites simply just because of their teaching. Well, my favorite teacher is my favorite because of more than that. In the last two years, you have been an amazing teacher and friend. I don’t care if people think I’m weird, but having a teacher as one of my closest friends has proven to be one of the best things to happen in my life. You have helped me through so many difficult times in my life, you’ve been there when I’ve walked into your room bawling my eyes out on the last day of my junior year, when I’ve walked in bawling my eyes out because of a bad morning or because of my idiot ex-boyfriend. You are one of the only teachers who has ever still cared about my grades after having me in class when I was no longer your student. You have always been someone I could count on to be there for me whether it be just to chat with before or after school, or when I needed someone to really talk to about my life. I trust you more than I have ever trusted anyone, and I know I can come to you with nearly anything. I know as a student, there are probably certain topics I should not talk about with you, but either way I know you’re always there for me.

These last three years, you have had no idea how much of an influence you had on me. You have impacted me so much, and I cannot thank you enough. Graduating last year was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever gone through, and I was honestly so sad to be leaving. I definitely miss you probably more than any other teacher I’ve ever had, and I really miss getting to sit in your classroom half of the time just talking. You’ve helped me through so much, and I appreciate you more than pretty much anyone. Your friendship has saved me countless times from a place I never want to go, and I don’t know how to thank you for everything you have done for me. You truly are an amazing teacher and human being. I promise I will visit next year if I get the chance, and every year after until I hopefully end up teaching there once I’m out of college.

So, to close this emotional crap out, thank you. You are an absolute blessing to our high school and to the world in general. I wish there were more people like you in the world. I hope this doesn’t make you too sad, but if it does then I’m sorry. Thank you for being the best. If you ever have a day when you feel like your students don’t appreciate you enough, or that maybe teaching isn’t really worth the crap they give you, just read this. Remember that you really do make a difference to at least some of us, and I hope that makes it worth it. I hope one day I’ll be as good of a teacher as you. Thank you.