When we accomplish our goals, we remember some key people in our life. Most of the time we remember our family or our friends who support us through our endeavors. Good job at acknowledging the others who assisted you through the process, but there are more. There are many people in our lives we meet day in and day out, but we don't understand their impact on us. One example is our school teachers. In high school, we come across at least 24 teachers in 4 years, each keeping an impression on us, whether serious or minor. Why don't we remember them in our lives as much as others?

Many of us think that they don't impact us much since they are doing their job and get paid to be in school. We believe the teacher's purpose is to teach kids and go home. However, according to Payscale, the average pay for a high school teacher is around $48,819 per year. So a high school teacher gets paid only $20.85 per hour. Though the pay is acceptable, it's not what keeps teachers in schools. So why do some people pursue a teaching career if not for monetary reasons? What do they get in return for their service to our community?

Many teachers like leave an impact on their students, whether assisting them to understand a subject's concept or supporting them through difficult times. Students can go through a lot of complications and distress, like bullying or harassment, which can deter them from their education. Sometimes students are dealing with a divorce or a recent death in the family, causing them to lose focus in school. Having one of those teachers who supports you can make a big difference when you feel all alone. A warm hand comforting you and asking you what's wrong can make your day.

To all students out there, I want you guys to understand the importance of every single teacher out there in your life whether you think they are mean, annoying, thoughtful, good at instructing, understanding, helpful, or anything else. A strict teacher teaches you to deal with conflicts and obstacles (sometimes even time management if you are the late kid). A good teacher helps you with your problems and helps you reach your potential. No matter what you think of your teacher, it's important to realize that those teachers in your life are worth way more than the $48,819 they get every year. Don't give teachers a hard time in school, cherish them. They are here only to see you succeed, not to see you fail.

I wanted to shoutout to all my teachers and the staff at Denmark High for providing me with many opportunities to achieve my goals and dreams. From soccer to computer science, all of you have acknowledged me day in and day out to make my mark on this school and community. Thank you for not only teaching me subjects but giving me advice on how to handle situations and obstacles in my path. I am glad I choose to be a Dane!