The cliché is true: I would not be where I am today if it were not for my amazing teachers throughout my 14 years and counting of public education. I would not be motivated, dedicated, or passionate about learning if I had not been blessed with such wonderful individuals to guide me through some of the most important years of my life.

Thank you for teaching me the alphabet and how to formulate words with which I can then formulate sentences. If I had not developed such a love for reading and writing at a young age, I cannot guarantee that I would still get so much joy out of both today. I remember being told that you can never read too much and that there is always so much more to learn—that statement is nothing short of the truth, although I did not always believe it.

Thank you for giving me a range of grades on my essays, and for showing me that writing is a process rather than one simple draft. I have become attracted to the difficulty of developing a piece of writing, followed by the thrill and pride of completing it (sometimes weeks later). The struggles I have—and still—experience with writing have helped my strengths surface, and I have you to thank for that. Thank you for the criticism and the praise on my writing that has led to my success as a student.

Thank you for making me appreciate science and the world around us. All of the extra hours spent after school to finish my chemistry, biology, and physics labs taught me that sometimes getting the correct results takes time, but those hours are nonetheless worth it. Memorizing the anatomy of the body and understanding its physiology helped me grasp how my own body functions. Despite my struggles in physics, I will never forget Newton’s Law nor will I forget that quickly spinning a full bucket of water around will not result in a very large puddle.

Thank you for sharing the language of numbers with me and teaching me how mathematics actually can be incorporated into everyday life and into many careers. I will never forget being able to somehow mathematically draw a picture on grid paper using trigonometric equations. I will always remember the thrill of finishing a complicated question and feeling like the next Euclid.

Thank you for teaching me about the makeup of the brain and how/why we function the way we do. Studying psychology opened my eyes to such fascinating concepts as perception and cognition, and it also taught me that there is a fear for just about anything. Decidophobia is the fear of making decisions (I may or may not be a decidophobe).

Thank you for teaching me about our country and our world’s history. Despite my shaky memorization skills when it comes to the subject of history, I will never forget my sophomore year history teacher flipping over a chair at the front of the classroom and saying, “That’s revolution.” I will always appreciate the sacrifices and the dedication of famous historical figures who have allowed me to live the life I do today.

Thank you for giving me a break from the stress of my core classes by giving me the opportunity to try new sports and forms of exercise, and for helping me step out of my comfort zone. Thank you for bringing out my creative side and allowing me to discover some of my hidden talents.

Thank you for showing me the endless paths to my future and the right steps I need to take along the way. Thank you for giving me a reason to wake up at the crack of dawn five times a week and making it worthwhile.

Most importantly,thank you for being more than just my teacher. You have been a mentor, a listener, a role model, and a friend. You have given me someone to look up to, someone I know I can always trust, and someone who understands. I know my constant questions and second guessing probably became a little excessive, but you never made me feel like I was less than worth it and always assured me that I am going to be just fine.

Perhaps I am writing this because as I am getting settled into my second year of college I often find myself asking the question, how did I get here? Despite obvious reasons, I got here because of you. I got here because of the love, nurturing, support, and devotion that all of you wonderful teachers have given me throughout the years. You instilled in me a love for learning and a desire to be the best that I can be and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you for seasoning my brain with all of the knowledge I need to help me get through this life, and thank you for never making me feel like I have to do it alone.