Blog #3
June 06, 2024
Letter to the graduating Class of 2024
As I look back at these letters written by my Class of 2024 students, I feel more blessed and lucky ever day. And I can’t stop giving thanks to God for all the students, especially the recent grads, I met over the last four years of my career. There is one thing that carried me through these last few years; and it is not my accomplishments, possessions, and self-determination– it is my students. It’s through their presence, their time, and their kind words that gave me strength and light.
There were moments when I felt incompetent to be an English teacher as I was insecure of my novice experiences as an educator. I was afraid of how people perceived me, so I habitually hid my vulnerabilities. But in the hardest hour, it was God who placed students and their friends in my life to give me encouragement to be myself and appreciate myself.
I find joy in teaching not because I can flaunt my knowledge of the subject but because I can interact with beautiful yet lost souls who yearn to be known and loved. The art of teaching is humbling. Reading together, talking together, walking together, laughing together, and celebrating together. These moments were truly rewarding. Their small gestures of “thank you” through these letters and passing by words was a reminder of why I chose to become an educator and why I decided to come back to my hometown in Virginia.
Even though I am boxing away these letters, I will archive these beautiful moments in a special place in my heart. Class of 2024, the class I started my career with (though beginning at another school) in a confined world of COVID, thank you for reminding me of my purpose. Through you, I have learned to know and appreciate me.
Blog #2
June 2023
Letter to my juniors (Class of 2024)
Dear 4th, 6th, and 8th period students (aka. the CHOsen ones),
You made it to the end of your junior year! Thank you for such a great school year. My first year at Woodson High School has flown by thank to you. I was very anxious when I first met you back in August, back when I barely knew your names. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. Maybe some of you saw right through me. I scrambled to put together the “Lost at Sea” activity to collaborate on the first day class. Then we jumped into endless SPACECAT analyses, timed writings, presentations, and group works. There were moments of stress, boredom, and laughter, but WE made it through! Did you notice how I shifted to a communal pronoun “we”…? Ok, I’ll stop.
Please know that I’ll miss you very much. Next year won’t be the same without you in class, but don’t tell this to my upcoming juniors next school year. I’m always in my classroom in E212, so feel free to stop by to say hi, rant about school and life, or give life updates.
I can’t wait to see you walk across the stage on your graduation day in June 2024. Good luck next school year, and press on toward your goal! I’m excited to see where life will take you. See you around seniors. 🙂
P.S. Don’t forget to pick up the letter you wrote to yourself in May 2024.
Blog #1
The day before winter break (online) (
Return to ClassroomDecember 2020
Teaching during the confined world of COVID…
