Dear _____________;

STMA,
I've been thankful to be a part of the school here. The staff and student body have been great to work with. I feel that I am well-supported and that I can ask questions when I need to (which is a lot.) Thanks for understanding that I'm new and that I could use a lot of direction. I'm also thankful that you can actually understand the purpose behind what happens at school day in and day out, and can fully appreciate what goes in to this job to make it work.

Mike,
Thanks for what you do. I look forward to and appreciate seeing you during the week with your vacuum cleaner pack in the stairwell at school. Sometimes it gets kinda lonely at 8:00pm and I feel like there's no one else in the building, so it's nice to see a friendly face a couple times a week. It's also cool to know that you care about your kids and family. Thanks for sharing a little about them with me. And! Definitely fan of the jolly ranchers you bring me as you "give me permission" to go home..haha. I need that.

Adam and Rachel,
Do you guys know each other? I suppose you probably know who each other are.. anyway. That's beside the point. I've been really thankful for you both because I often feel like I'm the only person within the ages of 18 and 25 who lives in St. Michael. It's good to know that I'm not. Adam, I appreciate that you drop by my classroom as you work to say hi and just to chat for a few minutes. Like Mike, it's good to know there are other people in the building sometimes. And my pencil cup is never empty! My students and I thank you for that. And Rachel, it's been fun to see your passion for volleyball. You're good at what you do, and you will be a great coach! Thanks for being my friend.

SB,
Since day one, you and I have terribly misunderstood each other. I really do feel bad about that. I see that you have a lot on your plate. I don't know what it is or where it comes from, but I hope you know that I really want you to be successful. So please. Do your homework. Your rebellion doesn't really hurt me at all.. Having said that..The end of this week has gone well. Maybe we're starting to figure things out after all? Time will tell. Like it or not, I believe that you have a lot of potential to do good things. I see it every so often. Like the other day when you collected the homework assignments from everyone without being asked and even participated in class..way to go.

PP,
As much as I love regrading your homework assignments several times a week and changing my seating arrangement for you, and being told daily that the announcements will be on in 5 minutes, I would appreciate your patience and understanding that I do realize these things and will take care of them as soon as I can, and coming to me with these things during class is not the best time. Forgive me for my impatience at times. Let's work together on these things.

BL,
For being from the East Coast, you are definitely a "West Coast"-er at heart. Probably wouldn't hurt to get a folder or two. Maybe a pencil. Just a thought.

JB (and the rest of 5th period),
You make me laugh. I'm surprised at how off-task and distracted you can be and still have the neatest handwriting of any freshman boy ever. You make class so enjoyable. Also-I feel comfortable being up front teaching you guys. I feel like I can be myself and teach you and show that I'm having fun at the same time. I'm glad you guys enjoy class jokes, and that we can kind of get on and off task together. Thanks for playing along and being silly and giggly and for acting your age. It makes me love my job a lot.

Quarry Church,
Thanks for having me! Thanks for caring about people outside of yourself, especially of those who are in need. I'm excited to get more involved and to grow with you guys.

I'm thankful for all of you (and for others who I have not had time to write letters to). My days would definitely not be as "filled" without you (Especially on the days when I'm super tired and crabby). Thanks for bringing a little joy into my life from week to week!