To my high school English teachers,

Tonight I attended the senior Academic Awards Banquet with my younger sister, where I saw each of you receive a letter (or three) as a mentor. I wanted to add one. So here is a letter from a former student who sat in your classrooms a decade ago.

It’s no secret that English was never my favorite subject. In fact, I wrote an article last year about how I never read a single book that I was supposed to, how I struggled with reading comprehension, and how I hated to write. I am aware of the irony. Despite it being my least favorite subject, I loved your classes. Absolutely loved them! They were some of my favorite classes actually, and out of all my high school classes they hold most of my fondest memories.

You made the classes enjoyable, even to someone who didn’t like the subject matter. There are several things I regret about high school, but some of my biggest regrets are not appreciating your classes for the material more while I could.

If you have been following me on social media, you know how ironic all of this is with my current life. You know that I love reading and books more than just about anything in the world. You know that I’ve been writing and publishing these online articles for over a year now. You know that I love reading so much that I’ve recently created my own website all about books.

What you might not know is that I’m an editor through this online writing team, Coffee House Writers. That I love writing and have started my own fiction books. That I have already read 15 books this year and had to increase my goal of 30 books for the year because I’m going to reach that probably by June.

You might not know that I’m in the process of adding an English Language and Literature minor. You might not know that I’m seriously considering going to graduate school for English and Creative Writing. You might know that, though it took a while, your classes and enthusiasm and love for this subject made an impact.

So thank you. Thank you for your patience, guidance, and passion for teaching. Thank you for drilling into my subconscious how reading and writing are truly amazing. I don’t know where I would be right now had I not discovered this love and, as I heard your current students tell you how much they appreciate you tonight, I wanted to tell you that I do too and I always will.

Thank you,
Caitlin