An Open Letter to the Best Teachers I’ve Ever Had

Those who’ve motivated and molded me into the person I am.

I grew up in the Tar Heel state, North Carolina. If you’ve read my piece on the state of education there, you’ll know the life of a teacher isn’t so great. So this is my open letter of thanks to all of the K-12 educators who have inspired and shaped me into the person I am today.

To Mrs. Janet Brown, my third grade social studies and language arts teacher. I wanted to thank you for being the first person to recognize that I wasn’t really a troublemaker, just a smart kid who got really bored in class. You were the one who taught me that bringing a book everywhere was a good thing. You also pushed me to stand out from the crowd for more than just my height. Thank You.

To Mr. Travis Ward, my seventh grade social studies teacher and high school assistant principal. Thank you for inpiring my love of history, and teaching me to use my powers for good. You saw that I was an instigator who could (and would) insight rebellion, and you turned me into true leader that could motivate and inspire others. Thank You.

To Mrs. Jennifer Buck, my freshman and AP Biology teacher. Your passion and enthusiasm for both science and teaching were contagious. You were the first teacher to make science truly interesting to me. Through your lessons I learned to ask questions about the world around me. You also showed us the Spiders on Drugs video; that alone would earn you my eternal gratitude. Thank You.

To Mr. Jeff Scneider, my AP World History teacher. Words cannot describe how much I hated you when I was taking your class. I am a junior in college and it is still probably the hardest course I have ever taken. From you I learned that success is not always guaranteed and the sweetest victories always come from a lot of hard work. Earning a 5 on that AP exam and joining the ranks of the “Schnerds” is still one of my proudest accomplishments. I also cannot help but admire how principled you are. You were never willing to lower your standards, no matter who asked. Thank You.

To Mrs. Crystal Vandiver, my 10th grade English teacher. You taught me a love of words, and perhaps more than anyone, how to develop my own writing style. In your class, I could put my own unique spin on everything and was free to experiment until I found what worked. You pushed me to improve my work and to avoid shortcuts in writing. Thank You.

To Ms. Traci Latta, my 11th grade AP English teacher. You showed me how to use my voice. Without you I never would have started publishing my work online. You also showed me how to use personal struggles as motivation. Remembering your courage and positivity helped me get through my own health struggles. I would not have the courage to hit publish on any blog post without you. Thank You.

To Mrs. Donna Tate, my AP US History Teacher. You opened my eyes to the fact that history is written by the victor. From you I learned to question everything, and to look for the hidden truth behind what we were being taught and told. You were also probably one of the most entertaining teachers I have ever had. “The Colors” is not a story that I will forget anytime soon. Thank You.

To Mrs. Alicia Mooney-Flynt, my 12th grade AP English Teacher. You were the first teacher I can remember openly discussing the concept of privilege in the classroom. Through you I learned to “check my privilege” constantly and to realize that my experiences will differ from others. You inspired me to seek justice and to speak out for what I thought was right. Thank You.

Which teachers have inspired you?

Oddly enough, I can remember the names of just about ever teacher or instructor I’ve had since Kindergarten. I have had great teachers who have inspired me, and not so great teachers who have shown me what I don’t want to be. Now it’s your turn. let me know in the comments which teachers you would like to thank for shaping you.