While this may at first appear to be about one student’s appreciation, it’s really about my appreciation for students — and the privilege of teaching them. First, the card:
It reads:
Thank you so much for an amazing year. I learned so much that will with no doubt benefit me academically as well as socially later in life. Your stories and laid back personality make you extremely personable and for that I thank you. Both of your classes pushed me to my limit but in doing so helped me shape a strong work ethic. As I left room 314 freshman year I was proud to say that I was prepared for the high school world, now four years later I feel I can say the same about college. Once again thank you for all you did to make me a better student & person.
Isn’t that really why we all teach? I hope it is.
I feel blessed to be able to touch lives in this way. Oh, sure, cards like this are few and far between; most students say nothing, and a few students surely hate me and/or the class, but it’s the ability to help some become “a better student & person” that I’m so thankful for.