A Letter To My Students: What I Want You To Know As You Graduate

I’m sitting here at my computer with tears in my eyes. The day that I have been silently dreading for the past couple months has officially arrived. You’re graduating and continuing on with life, and that’s amazing. It’s a day that is supposed to be filled with excitement and eagerness for the future. All your hard work is finally paying off. But while you’re moving on, I’m staying behind, watching you take on the world. 

It’s so bittersweet.

On one hand, I’m so thrilled to see you take a step out into the real world and show those around you how amazing you are. On the other hand, I’m heartbroken because I’ll no longer get to see your bright smiles and shining personalities fill the halls. I won’t be able to look up from my classroom and see you waving at me, or be able to receive the tight hugs that you give me when I’m having a rough day. 

I think the hardest part about you leaving is the fact that a piece of me is leaving as well. You’ve all changed my life in so many ways. Though I’m the one that’s supposed to be teaching and help you, I’ve learned so much from you all. You’ve shaped me into the person that I’m supposed to be, and I want to say thank you for that.

So, thank you.

For showing me that anything is possible.

Over the years I’ve watched you try things that were incredibly difficult for you. But I saw you conquer those challenges despite the difficulty you faced, and this showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to.

For asking me to come to your games

It’s no mystery that I’m clueless when it comes to sports. But seeing your faces light up when I entered the gym means more than you’ll ever know. I may not understand the game itself, but I understand that you’re happy I’m there. In my eyes, that means more than any points on a scoreboard. 

For greeting me with a smile

Seeing your smiles in the halls was the best part of my day. Don’t ever let this world take away your beautiful smile. It’s going to bring joy to so many other people, I just know it. Smile at those around you, and smile brightly!

For being unapologetically yourself

Working with you all has shown me that being yourself is the most amazing thing you can be. I’ve learned to not care what those around me think because as long as I’m happy, who cares what others might say?

For always showing unconditional love

Before I took this job, I don’t think I ever realized what it meant to be loved unconditionally by someone. I now know that the purest form of love comes from you. Despite all the challenges that we may have faced together, at the end of the day we all knew that the love and support that we had for each other was never going away. I can promise you that it won’t ever go away.

To the incredible individuals who are reading this, thank you for allowing me the chance to get to know the beautiful people that you are. You have changed my life for the better, and I will never forget the memories and laughs that we shared. When you walk across that stage and leave our school for the last time, please remember that you will always have a friend, a supporter, and someone who is always there for you. Keep your head high, smile brightly, and continue to bring joy into the lives of those around you. I know you can do it!

All the love in the world, 

Your biggest cheerleader,

Ms. Emma 

Featured Photo by Baim Hanif on Unsplash