With the start of the new school year I am reminded. As I drive down my street I see kids hurrying to catch the bus and get to class on time. I hug my little brother goodbye as he heads off to high school and have late night phone conversations with my other brother as he navigates life at college. I now go to school online and though I absolutely love everything about getting a degree at home in my pajamas, I am reminded of all the amazing teachers in all their various classrooms who have brought me to this place.

Three years ago I left my freshman year of college utterly defeated. Having been ridiculed for my faith, bullied for my decisions and relentlessly harassed by those in positions of authority, I had all but given up on pursuing a higher education. The next year found me suffering from extreme depression as I barely passed my community college courses, fought with my parents nonstop and questioned my purpose on this earth.

If not for the foundation that had been built in my life by my parents and friends and my teachers, I would not be here today. So today I just want to say a special thank you to those teachers who taught me more than just how to solve for x or the best way to analyze a poem. Thank you to the teachers who taught me how to be a good citizen, a true friend and showed me what it meant to have a courageous soul. You are the reason I am here today.

To my third-grade teacher, thank you for introducing me to the joys of books. Until your class I had regarded reading as a task meant for punishment and homework. You showed me that reading is a gateway to adventure, a safe place for my imagination and a springboard for my creativity. I read all 64 original Nancy Drew books that year and I remain convinced to this day that my writing and vocabulary has been affected infinitely because of that reading.

Thank you to my sixth-grade teacher who taught me what it meant to be brave. I did and still do admire your fearless attitude toward life and challenges. Thank you for not taking life to seriously! You always made each day fun and exciting. You taught me what it meant to be kind, funny and a good friend. Because of your example, I decided to introduce myself to a new girl in class and now, ten years later, we are still best friends.

In eighth grade I struck gold and had the best computer science teacher ever. He taught me that part of being successful in life is developing skills that are going to help you become a more marketable and capable person. The fact that he was my Father further encouraged me to be the best I could be. You might be the fastest typist around but it doesn’t mean a thing if you spell all the words wrong.

To the choir teacher I met sophomore year, I think you have seen me at my absolute worst. I have never cried harder or uglier in front of a teacher than I did with you. After experiencing the death of both my grandparents that year, I lost it in your class and cried like I hadn’t before. The thing is that I don’t remember the pain or embarrassment of that day, just your calming presence acknowledging my grief and comforting my aching heart. Though I never broke down like that again, I always knew I could, and that was important.

Senior year was by far one of the best years because that’s when I met one of my heroes. My senior English teacher taught me one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned. I did not get the best grades that year, or write the strongest papers, but I discovered that my worth was not tied to my success. As a person, I am still valuable and important and worthy of respect regardless of my grade at the end of the year. I am a better writer, student, and person because you showed me that my value was not dependent on whether or not I passed a test.

To the theater teacher who saw me through all four years of high school, you can never know the ways you have impacted me. From allowing me the unique privilege of getting to know upperclassmen through performing as a freshman in the musical, to believing in me when I thought I had nothing to offer, to giving me a firm yet loving talking to when senioritis somehow began to affect my ability to memorize lines. There were so many tough days and months and years in high school when I struggled to keep going and each time I wanted to give up, you were there, believing in me, affirming my talent, and teaching me the value and reward of hard work.

If it was not for all of you, I would not have decided to keep going when life seemed darkest. I would not have landed one of the country’s most sought-after internships and gone back to school. I would not have made the dean’s list in my first semester back in college or be looking forward to graduating in the near future. I would not have had the courage to leave an abusive relationship or get help for my depression. I would not have made new friends and become involved in the most amazing community.

Teachers, it may seem that you are only teaching your students facts and equations and requirements for graduation but I promise you it is so much more. For when you were teaching me to read you were teaching me be daring. When you were teaching me to make friends, you were encouraging me to be vulnerable. When you taught me to type, you were showing me I had potential at a wonderful, beautiful life. When you showed me how to write a paper, you were helping me form my identity as an important, valuable person. When you let me be real and honest, you were teaching me that my emotions are not something to be afraid of. And when you gave me a talking to when I failed to memorize all my lines, you were showing me that hard work is not easy, but oh so worth it in the end.

So thank you to all the teachers who showed up and gave everything even when I’m sure it was hard. Thank you for making me the person I am today. Thank you for saving my life.