Dear Ms.

Martin,

Now that freshman year is almost over, you are the teacher that has most impacted me. You give

the whole freshman class freedom, but only with the knowledge of responsibility. On our way to

college, the mindset that we are responsible for our own grades and work will be astronomically

helpful. The tips you give help move us along, without restricting us by believing we have no

responsibility yet. The training wheels are off, but you are still there helping to guide us. We

control our actions, as you taught us, but we still have you to lean on. The opportunities and

experiences we get by managing ourselves are valuable, and we have learned as such by now.

You teach us that only we can make decisions in our lives, even if we have recommendations

from others. Along with that, you offer us words of advice. For all of us who are concerned

about our grades and ranks, hearing you assure us that we are not numbers and therefore should

not treat ourselves as such was a comforting thought. You are a teacher who truly wants your

students to succeed, and that notion is visible to all. Even if we may not want to admit it

sometimes, you are always right. Our future is ours, not up to anyone else. We cannot rely on

others to do everything for us, we have to put in the effort ourselves. Of course, we could choose

not to do something, and that would be completely our choice, but it wouldn’t be a good one.

You let us make these mistakes and learn for ourselves. By letting us look out for ourselves

while still being there to help, you promote our growth. If we are expected to develop into

functioning adults, we need to be in an environment that nurtures us in such a way that we are

responsible for ourselves. This environment, I believe, can be found in your classroom. We are

treated like adults, allowed to speak our minds and do our own thing. Little by little, with your

help, we are learning how to manage ourselves. One day, we will not have someone with us to
give us such advice and mentorship. But by the time that day comes, we will have ourselves. All

in all, you are many students’ favorite teacher for a reason. Freedom and space are things any

growing mind needs, and you provide them. Your point of view helps students understand

unfamiliar situations and overcome them. The college admissions process, for example, is a long

and grueling process, but there is comfort in knowing that we will have you by our side to guide

us. You are even preparing us for college itself, bit by bit. Whether it’s slightly harsher grading

on our essays to prepare us for English 1301, or giving us a quiz that’s completely open-ended

like some professors give out, the curveballs you throw at us will help us overcome much more

one day. We are very lucky to have the guidance of someone who is so considerate of our

futures, maybe even more than some of us are. Your kindness and support will help form us into

the best people we can possibly be. We may not know much yet, but by graduation, we will go

out into the world ready for any surprises the world may throw at us. There’s no need for us to

fear being unprepared because we have a wonderful mentor. So, speaking for the majority of the

freshman class, thank you.

Sincerely,

Ashley Valadez