“I have noticed through Facebook that you have been active in trying to make education better. I just wanted to let you know that if more teachers had the same mind set and goals as you then education in America would be exponentially better. I would like to thank you for doing your part to make a difference.” –Tyler Hilzendeger (former student)

Confession. I want to quit. Every day. Oh, I hide it, keep it close, but it’s there. And while most days it is easy to suppress my more emotional, irrational urges, there are other days that it pushes me to the edge, and I am vulnerable. Of late, stuck in my head wondering and worrying over grades, I have found myself backsliding in my convictions that I am on the right path, making myself open and vulnerable to the doubt upon my shoulder. But then. But, then, someone meddles. It’s as if some cosmic force is at play, and he/she pulls me back from the edge with his/her encouragement. And I am able to brush it away, again standing tall, resolute in my belief that my journey is worthy.

Yesterday, Tyler became my most recent meddler. Out of the blue, he messaged me the above words, and I wanted to share them, not so as to pat myself on the back, but rather to honor their import, their impact. Thank you, Tyler. Your message could not have come at a better time. It was just the fuel I needed to fill my depleted tank. Truly. Thank you.