Dear Mrs. Gugel,

When I first had your class as a Junior in high school, I was admittedly quite excited to have you as my teacher. However, that changed momentarily when it became apparent to me that the course would cover American literature exclusively. The monumental eye roll I did when I learned the fact was something for record books. Fortunately, you proved me wrong. With witty, quirky humor and the ability to find the diamonds in the rough that is the dry desert of American lit. you easily became my favorite teacher. Unbeknownst to both of us I believe, you would soon become, not just a teacher, but a mentor, a friend, and role model to me. For the opportunity to get to know you, get to know myself, and learn to imagine tennis balls in my armpits when delivering a speech. I can never thank you enough.

It baffles me that you doubt your abilities as an educator at times. In my almost thirteen years of being a student, I have only met one teacher that came close to positively impacting me in the amount that you did. Although, he is stationed in the history department so I don’t believe that you will have to worry about any competition. Under your instruction, I believe that I discovered the ability to trust in myself as a writer. In past years, I was beaten down by the onslaught of rules and guidelines that came with writing an academic paper. This was so much so that I questioned if my passion for putting words on a blank page was just a fever dream. When I took your class, however, I found that spark again. By giving your students creative wiggle-room, while also providing tips and tricks to the rules besides beating them upside-the head with a packet of MLA guidelines, you created an environment that made writing engaging. Thank you for allowing me to re-discover what I have to offer, even if you did make me read “The Scarlet Letter.”

As a speech and debate coach, you rule with an iron fist. I don’t know why I was surprised by this at first! But I was never discouraged by your intensity or your high expectations of your competitors. If anything, it drove me to work harder so I could see your face when you were proud of me. Coming from exactly no prior experience of competing in speech and debate meets, I did not know at the time what kind of things I would gain from this experience. I knew I could write a fantastic speech with ease, but the real challenge that I had to overcome was actually getting up and delivering that speech for ten minutes. But I never would have gotten through it, much less have actually succeeded without you. No matter how discouraged I became, you did not ever let me give up. What you taught me was that things are not given to you, and that if I want something then I have to be willing to work for it and take criticism. Competing in Original Oratory as one of your competitors gave me the strength to rely on myself in the face of adversity as well as to be able to learn from every situation no matter if I won or lost. For this, I will always thank you.

As a friend, you continually remind me that the world is not always what it seems. Through our many great chats in Independent Study, I first learned just how much depth there is in your personality. Hearing your fiercely intelligent opinions has always kept me on my toes and caused me to ponder my own opinions on the topics. Getting to know you as a person has given me a glimpse of how tirelessly you give generosity and kindness to your friends and family. But ultimately, hearing your advice and words of acceptance when I have confided in you is something that I would never trade for the world. For this and everything else that you do, I will forever be thankful to have my crazy high school English teacher.

Yours truly,

Gabe/Danny