Being a teacher isn’t an easy job. No one becomes a teacher for the money or for the fabulous benefits. Teachers decide to teach because they love making a difference in the lives of children. So this letter is for the teachers. For the teachers who encouraged their students to be the best versions of themselves. For the teachers who teach more than the curriculum. And for the teachers who teach their students to dream big, to never give up, and that there is more to life than the the four walls they grew up in. People say that teachers are angels sent down to earth. I whole-heartedly believe this because it takes a special person to see the potential in every kid. I know I would not be where I am today if it were not for some very special teachers along the way.

As a student, I want to say thank you. Thanks for always being there when I needed you. Thank you for making me learn when I didn’t want to. Thank you for putting up with me, because I know it’s not always easy. I never knew how much you did for me until you were out of my life, so I want to take a moment to let you know I appreciate all the hard work you did. Thank you for staying up late working on lesson plans and for spending your weekends grading my homework. Thank you for teaching me not only math, science, and history, but self-confidence, discipline, and perseverance. I never said it back then and I can’t say it enough now, but thank you.

Now, I want to take a moment to say thank you to the teacher who inspires me the most--my sister. She teaches second grade. It didn’t surprise me when she told me she wanted to be a teacher because she has the biggest heart and has a gift for helping others. Even when we didn’t get along as kids, she was always there for me, just like she is there for her students now. She gave me a back stage pass to the behind-the-scenes work of teaching and I never realized just how much work it was. I know teaching can be tough and at times it doesn’t feel worth it, but you are making a difference one lesson at a time. So I will say thank you for your students who don’t know just how lucky they are to have you yet. Never give up, because you inspire me. You inspire me to be a better person, to never stop reaching for my goals, and to be kind to others even when I don’t think they deserve it.

Being a teacher is more than grade books and bulletin boards. Being a teacher is inspiring others to live their life to the best of their ability and to never settle for less. Teaching is not for the faint of heart, but a job for true heroes. The next time you see a former teacher, remember to say thank you, because they have done more for you than you could ever have realized.