To the Teacher Who Changed My Life:

From October 2013 to July 2016, going to History class was the time of day I looked forward to most. As I have often mentioned to you over the years, you have become so much to me. I would not be the person I am today if I had not met you.

I didn’t originally want to be a teacher but after the experiences I had with my teachers over many years, I started to think about it as a profession. When I had you from Sophomore year until Senior year and we developed our relationship, I knew that I wanted to impact someone’s life the way you impacted mine.

When we were in the classroom, you made learning exciting and fun. History became more than just learning about the Battle of Gettysburg and more about the way George Washington rallied his troops because he was an exciting guy.

Maybe he wasn’t though, maybe Georgie was boring. But you made him exciting, and that made me want to learn more and more.

I have taken every single one of your classes except for World History, but I can honestly say sociology was my favorite. You made sociology more than just studying, you taught us how it impacts us on a daily basis and how we see it playing out in our lives. I can remember watching the clock until 2:05 every day because I couldn’t wait to go to that class.

But it wasn’t just the classes that I looked forward to, it was the small interactions and conversations we would have that strengthened our relationship. It was the fact that you believed in me and had faith in me when I didn’t have it that struck me the most. I know for a fact that you changed my life and I know that if I can have that ability on my students one day then that means I have succeeded.

You know a lot of this because I have told you all this before, but I wanted to reiterate to you this:

You, and you alone, have influenced my life in a way that I cannot even begin to put into words. The fact that you have an energy and aura about you makes everyone feel cared about. You never gave up on me even when I thought you would. I always knew I could count on you and I hope one day my students can look up to me and at me the same way I look at you.

So thank you for everything you have done, and for influencing me to become the best person and teacher I can be. You have changed my life for the better and I wanted you to know that I would not be who I am today and have the strength and courage to work hard if it wasn’t for you.

As Alfba once said to Glinda in an amazing musical, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” Thank you for everything, and know I miss you every day.

Most sincere,

A student whose life you changed for good.