Dear Student,
First, I want to thank you for playing such a vital role in helping me pursue my dreams. I have a passion for English, teaching, and literature; and without a doubt, being able to teach you has been the highlight of my college career. I’ve loved getting to know you, discover alongside you, and watch you grow and learn over the course of these past 12 weeks.
I can hardly believe it. I’m finally receiving my Bachelor’s Degree! Sometimes it seems like it took ages to get here, but at other times it feels like only a few days. Either way you look at it, it’s so exciting! This little African girl is out of the rural, desert village and moving out into the unknown of life... on the other hand, that is actually terrifying. Haha. As my graduation approaches, I find myself pondering the road I’ve taken to get to this place. My story. How special it is to have you as part of my story that brought me to this point. You are a piece I will NEVER forget. In life, we are never promised an easy or clear path. However, I can’t help but remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson shared. While we cannot choose ‘the garden’ we're given, we do choose what we plant in it.
Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for daily teaching ME what it means to be a more effective practitioner, caring leader, and life-long learner. I adore teaching. Even in the rough days, it was you and your classmates that reminded me why what I do is so worth it. You are worth it. Every moment of trial and struggle is worth seeing learning in order to come out on top. Sure, I had to learn some things the hard way, but I feel the positive rewards much outweigh the struggle. I have grown so much during my time with you.
I wish I could remind you for everyday of the rest of your life that YOU ARE AWESOME. I really, truly believe that. You are beautifully and wonderfully made! I feel honored to have been able to be a part of your high school education. My prayer is that you will pursue whatever dream, desire, or hope you have and give whatever it takes to attain it. Find what gives you purpose in life and chase it down. Do not be afraid to give your all in EVERYTHING (yes that includes high school). I know school can be tiring and sometimes seem pointless, but it’s not. The human mind and its capacity to learn is truly a miracle. Don’t let your brilliance go to waste! I believe in you! Give yourself the chance to learn, and you will open up doors and windows to places you never thought you’d reach.
I wish you all the best in the rest of this year and all the years to follow! You’re almost done! You’ve achieved so much, keep moving forward! I hope you won’t forget what we learned about in class in regards to standing up for what you believe in and the power of forgiveness and sacrifice. Okay, I’m done going all ‘motivational football coach’ on you, haha. I love you all dearly! Know you are in my thoughts and prayers!
God bless,
Miss Manning
“There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson in "Self-Reliance"