Dear Mrs. Willoughby,
I was asked who my "teacher of the year" was in my Education and Training class, and without a doubt you were the first person who popped into my mind. I first met Mrs. Willoughby when I was in 7th grade at Watauga Middle School, reading has always been a subject I've really loved, and having you as my reading teacher my 7th grade year really opened my eyes a lot more. I knew when I was younger, 2nd grade to be exact I wanted to become a teacher. I had a lot of teachers from when I was in 2nd grade to when I was in 7th grade that really "opened" my eyes about my career path that I knew I wanted to do, but no one opened my eyes even more than you have. You've really inspired me, and shaped me into the person I am today. Mrs. Willoughby was also my "mentor teacher" my 7th grade year, which meant that she would look after my grades, I had to bring my report cards to her, and I would talk to her if I ever needed anything or if I was struggling with anything I could talk to her about it. If I was passing my classes or "improving" in my classes Mrs. Willoughby would bring me candy, or a little "goodie bag" full of different things, in return I LOVED bringing her stuff for Christmas! This carried on into the 8th grade, even though she wasn't my reading teacher anymore, I still had to bring her my grades. Once I graduated Middle School, I still kept in touch with her, sometimes I would go over to Watauga Middle School and catch up with her. My freshman year of High School, my sister was a 6th grader over at Watauga, so occasionally I would buy Mrs. Willoughby Christmas presents, and have my sister deliver them to her. In a couple years from now when I have my own classroom and I'm teaching my kids reading, I'll always think back to my 7th grade teacher, who told me to follow my dreams, and always pushed me in the right direction, she's such an amazing teacher and I don't know how I'll ever pay her back, the way she helped me. Any student who has you as a teacher for reading or AVID, are extremely lucky kids, because my 7th grade year was one of the best years of my life because I had such AMAZING teacher, especially my reading teacher.
From, Kiernan Lubon
