Ava wrote this speeech to announce the National Honor Society Teacher of the Year…

First I want to start this speech by thanking this teacher. Thank you for listening to anything and everything I have to say, even when it is so irrelevant and you have actual work to do. You sit and give me your undivided attention, you push me to try new things and take the next step.  Thank you for making your classroom a safe space for my peers and myself. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t hide in your class between periods and after school. Thank you for treating everyone with kindness, making sure people don’t feel alone or left out, and teaching us how to be more kind toward each other. Thank you for all that you do with your many clubs and going the extra mile to keep us engaged in your classes.

Having your class is one of my favorite parts of the day. I have learned so many new things about parts of the world. You have been able to bring so many cultures to our classroom. In the best way possible…with snacks. Having an effective way to teach what you teach is so incredible. I hope in the future I will get many more teachers just like you. 

This year I will graduate, and I won’t be able to talk with you everyday. I’m not sure how I’m going to deal with that yet, but I know when I have to face the truth it is going to suck…a lot. Although I won’t be a student here anymore, I know that  I can email you and we will go back to chatting like before. I’m glad I have been able to spend my high school career as your student. You have been such a meaningful person to me and have taught me how to grow and be a better person. I will be forever grateful for you. Congratulations Señora Dowen.