Every year I get notes and letters from students expressing how they feel or how I’ve made a difference for them. I save these for someday when I’m old (ok…oldER) and asking whether or not my life meant anything. I plan to read these and smile.

Here’s what just a few of these notes had to say (after this many years, I have hundreds):

Written on my board last year: “Mrs. Favie – you are the GOAT!”

“Hi Mrs. Favie! I cannot express how much you’ve made this class enjoyable. Somehow you’ve made this class feel like a breeze and it’s all thanks to you! Truly, thank you Ms. Favie. I used to hate and sucked at math but this year and last year you’ve opened my mind to what I’m truly capable of in math. With 100% honesty I think you are the best math teacher on campus. I’m going to miss this class.”

“I am so glad to have had you as my math teacher this year. I’ve always struggled to actually do well in math/enjoy it, but you actually made me like math & find fun in it. I’m glad I got to have you as a teacher.”

“Dear Mrs. Favie,

Thank you for giving me the honor of being my math teacher for the past 3 years. In all my years of schooling, I have never had a math teacher as skilled and passionate in their craft as you and I am so lucky to have had someone so well versed as my teacher in a typically challenging subject.

Thank you for making these past 3 years of math easier and I am especially thankful for how patient you have been with myself and others this year.”

“Thank you for being the best math teacher I’ve had.”

“Hey Mrs. Favie! I just wanted to make you something to show how much you and your classes have meant to me. You are a truly amazing teacher and I love the way you teach. You are also a great person. I love your inspirational mini-speeches and all the stories you told us. I also wanted to thank you for everything and being the teacher I can talk to about anything.”

“I always loved math and you made me love it more.”

“I wanted to thank you for this year, you have made math more enjoyable & I learned better with you than any other teacher. Thank you for your time and dedication, especially with precal.”

“Hi Mrs. Favie! I would just like to say thank you so much for everything you did this year, not just for me but our entire class. You got me out of my comfort zone with the AP Precal test and helped me challenge myself. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have had the chance to see all of my skills. I am very grateful for the opportunities that I have been able to receive because of you.”

“Having you as a teacher for the past 3 years has been a privilege and I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve taught me, not just math, you’ve taught me to have work ethic and to make the most of any moment and opportunity, if it is finishing the assignment in class , or splurging on activities I am capable of, you taught me to live to the fullest and I’ll never forget it.”

Maybe I’ll add a few more at some point…but reading these has me crying too much to keep typing. I’m so glad I saved these.