An Open Letter to the teachers who changed my life

Dear Teachers,

Although a majority of the lessons you taught me came from a textbook, the ones I hold closest to my heart are the lessons that came from yours.

My mom instilled a love of reading in me at a young age. But it was not until 4th grade that I read every Magic Tree House book in the series in a year. Thank you, Mrs. Winnestaffer, for letting me read even when I was supposed to be learning how to add and subtract fractions. Though from then until graduation, I was scolded for reading during class.

I was one of the students who was fortunate enough to have you as a teacher in 5th and 7th grade. In 5th grade you taught us the “Golden Rule”: treat others the way you want to be treated. Your kindness and compassion were contagious. In 7th grade you were the faculty advisor and it was then that I became involved in student council and community service. In high school, I was a student council member, a class officer, and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, I held various leadership positions throughout my middle school and high school athletic careers. Thank you, Mrs. Nance, for establishing a foundation of guidance, cooperation, and integrity.

Thank you, Mr. Humphries and Mr. Hunter, for providing comic relief. Middle school is rough and some days it was nice to watch March Madness and sing Sweet Caroline instead of learning about idioms and the mitochondria. Now, as a sophomore in college, I reflect on days like this and remind myself that it is okay to “take it easy” every once in awhile.

I was not aware then that 9/11 film was going to “change my life.” Now I am minoring in Security&Intelligence and taking classes like Sociology of Terrorism. And as you prepared us for our 8th grade trip to Washington D.C., I have begun to fill out applications for the Washington Academic Internship Program. Thank you, Mr. Kitchen, for teaching me that History is not actually that boring.

Sometimes all you need is a group of friends, a bug net, a kickball, or a wiffle ball bat to learn everything you need to know about Biology and Anatomy.  Thank you, Mr. Harkelroad, for making learning fun.

Although I learned a lot about chemical reactions and thermodynamics, I learned more about the process of trial and error and the meaning of the phrase, “If at first you don’t succeed, try again.” Thank you, Mr. Pickler, for accepting the challenge of teaching AP Chemistry II, especially because I know we were a handful.

Thankfully I had the opportunity to be your student aide because when I finally had you as a teacher, you had to leave after the first semester. I guess expecting a baby and being in Ohio while your family is in another state is not the most ideal situation. Thank you, Mrs. Doran, for overplaying the YouTube video, “Quadratic Formula Pop Goes The Weasel.” And yes, that is still how I remember the equation.

We were devastated when Mrs. Doran left but were more than happy to find out that you were her replacement. Even though we spent the first couple of weeks teaching you the lessons she taught us, we spent the remainder learning statistics by playing Euchre and hosting a classroom carnival. Thank you, Mrs. Bogenrife, for teaching us the game of Euchre. Because you were right, “you cannot go to college and not know how to play.”

After three years, five classes, and months of Mock Trial, I am surprised you were anything short of physically kicking me out of the door to your classroom come graduation. When I started my freshman year of college, I was a Biology major on a Pre-Med tract and if it was not for you (and Marla), I would still be taking weekly Math quizzes and adding Organic Chemistry to my schedule for the upcoming semester. Thank you, Mrs. Siddiqi, for helping me find the place I belong.

Transferring to your AP Language and Composition class was one of the best decisions I ever made. Thank you, Ms. Bentley, for teaching me just as much about reading and writing as you did about myself. And most importantly, thank you for always believing in me. I can say without hesitation that if it was not for you, I would not be the student I am today.

I remember learning the “Rule of Urinals” in Integrated Science and looking at the seniors in awe. It was difficult to believe you when you said that one day soon that would be us. Three years later, I sat in the same classroom where I once learned science lessons and instead learned life lessons, during your speeches the week before Senior Prom and then again the week before graduation. Thank you, Mr. Neely, for everything. It was a privilege to be your student.

Finally, how many kids are able to say that their mom was their teacher? Unlike most kids, I am grateful to know you outside of those hollow halls. You taught me the greatest lesson I have ever learned: a love of learning.

Thank you, all of you, for making me the person I am today.

Sincerely,

Allison Haskins.