To The Teacher Who Made Me A Teacher,

I entered your classroom terrified of math and of the journey that was before me.

I was at a point in which I did not believe in my own ability to survive the remainder of the student teaching experience.

You quickly helped me find the light in the journey.

Seeing the light was something I was having trouble with at first.

You made it easy for me to laugh when I was stressed, you shared your knowledge, and you didn’t judge me when I needed you to teach me basic fourth grade math skills.

You were there for me.

You looked out for me every step of the way.

The first time I talked with you, you told me that you would be there to pick up the pieces when I fell. I did fall sometimes, but you helped me become comfortable enough that even when I did, I knew it was not the end of the world.

You were there for me the very first time I taught a whole class on my own. You came over to me to let me know that my zipper was down (ha ha). I am so thankful that I had you to warn me of this fact, because I could have been humiliated in front of my very first group of students. I would have had horror stories and first-time-teaching flashbacks if you hadn’t been watching out for me.

You were there for me when I just needed to tell someone how my week was going. When I look back, I spent more time with you than with anyone else during this critical time in my post-secondary experience. Thank you for not only being my mentor teacher, but for becoming someone I can call a friend.

I learned so much from just simply watching you.

During my first few weeks, I had the privilege to take notes and observe you teach. You were a prime example of someone I aspire to be someday. Your knowledge of the content, enthusiasm and passion for education is contagious.

You have a sparkle about you that makes your students cling to every single word you say. You make the students laugh and you build their confidence, especially in a subject that can sometimes cause anxiety. You have a magical way with classroom management that fosters a room full of respect. Watching you teach was by far the most influential experience of my entire college career.

I remember the day that you taught a lesson while I wrote on the board for you. I was silent, but that experience helped me get a feel for being in front of the classroom. I realized that day, how deeply I enjoy being at the chalkboard, experiencing the beautiful opportunity to explain something new to the students based off of their prior knowledge. You were never required to do this for me, it was something that you thought of on your own. Not only were you teaching your students, you were also teaching me at the same time. I am so thankful that you wanted to help me grow.

You trusted me.

You trusted me before I even trusted myself. You let me take over your classroom, and by the end of my experience, I was in charge of everything. At times, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, but you believed in me, and that helped me believe in myself. I am so grateful that you were always my biggest cheerleader, because I wouldn’t have gotten through student teaching without you.

When I had pre-lesson amnesia you where there for me. It was the day I was getting observed and completely blanked out and forget everything I had planned. During that moment, you signaled for me to collect the homework, and I quickly remembered everything. Thank you for helping me pull myself together when I thought I would have a stress related heart attack.

I wanted to thank you publicly because your positive impact is something I’ll never forget. Your kindness, support, willingness to share, and your faith in me is something I can never repay you for.

In the future, I plan to change a student teacher’s life as positively as you changed mine.

I am the teacher that I am today, as a result of you.

Thank you for being a wonderful mentor teacher, and opening my eyes to the joys of education.

Sincerely,

A Proudly Certified Teacher Who Finished Student Teaching Successfully