a love letter to my teachers

a love letter to my teachers

i dedicate this to the core, STEM, and wellness teachers

it is dedicated to the art, english & history teachers

to each librarian, coach & campus supervisor

each house director, guidance counselor and admin member

the drivers ed teachers, paras and technicians

to the cafeteria staff - who keep our bellies full and our bodies fueled

last and most importantly not least - the custodial staff

who help our minds reflect the space they prepare for us.

you are all educators of the next generations.

how do you begin to put into words
the love, appreciation and feeling of debt you have towards those who always show up
those who see your potential no matter how much tunnel vision has taken over

it blows my mind when the role of an educator is undersold
the role of one of the worlds most essential workers

how do you undersell one who makes students world go round
the ones who have the power to ignite the mind of the young
the ability to hold the lamp that directs their path

those who take on the role of teachers, friends, parents, therapists, even chauffeurs at times
who strive to understand life experiences they’ll never face
who claim you as yours, no matter what shows on your report card

those who remind you, before all else, you are a human.

a being deserving of light and love
a being deserving of dreams that come true
a being deserving of peace and joy.

thank you to my educators.

for your vulnerability,

your wisdom

and your compassion.

thank you for believing (in) us.

for educating us.

and being patient with us.

not a second of our hard conversations,

our banter,

or our jokes will be taken for granted.

thank you for fighting alongside us,

crying with us,

challenging us,

and loving us.

for giving us a reason to continuously show up, despite the strain of life and a pandemic

for the opportunity to better ourselves

thank you for knowing when to challenge us

and simultaneously when to let us

breathe and take a step back

i am who i am because of who you are

thank you for endlessly pouring into me

so one day i can pour into others.

i see you

i uplift you

i appreciate you

i love you

♡

bene yodishembo

CVU - Class of 2021

shared with permission