To the Wesleyan Community,
Our teachers are the foundation of our education and the strong Christian community we have here at Wesleyan. We as students have the privilege of being taught by teachers who genuinely care for each and every one of us, teachers we have the opportunity to form deep and meaningful connections with because of our campus size and the smaller number of students per class.
As students, we often forget all the hard work our teachers put in to make our experience at Wesleyan and the education we receive the best it can be. We often get too caught up in wanting our grades back faster or complaining about the work our teachers assign us that we forget to take time to appreciate them and all the incredible things they do for us. Teachers at Wesleyan don’t just teach because it’s their job and getting paid; they teach because they care about what they are teaching and the students they are teaching. Forming relationships with your teachers is incredibly important. When we do this, teachers become people we can trust and go to when we are struggling with school, friends, or anything else. The teachers at Wesleyan want to get to know us and they want to help any of us who need support.
Freshmen, the transition from middle school to high school can be daunting to say the least. You are in a new building with all new teachers and three grades of older students to look up to. This first semester of your high school education is extremely important and getting to know your teachers early on can help you through this transition period. Every single student has been stressed because of school at some point, and it’s normal for you to need extra help sometimes. When you find yourself in this situation, I hope you will turn towards your teachers. They are here for you when your schoolwork begins to pile up and when you don’t know whether you can complete an assignment on time. Your teachers are here to help you, and I encourage you to appreciate and use that resource being provided to you.
Sophomores, by now you are in your second year of high school and are fully integrated into the life of a high schooler. You know what to expect and you probably have your everyday routines down to a science. However, there are so many opportunities available to you as students, opportunities you may or may not be aware of. Our teachers, on the other hand, are aware of the opportunities the school has to offer. At Wesleyan, teachers do more than just teach; they volunteer and lead extracurricular activities. It is important to recognize and appreciate that our teachers’ responsibilities and dedication to the student body don’t exist solely in the classroom. I hope that as sophomores, you will allow your teachers to share these opportunities with you and even influence you to try something new and different.
Juniors, this is your third year of high school and arguably one of the most stressful and difficult. Keep in mind that your teachers are here for you and can help relieve that stress. As you start taking standardized tests and thinking about college and what you might want to do with your future, I encourage you to speak to your teachers about these things. Your teachers were once juniors in the same shoes as you. Ask them about their experience as a junior in high school, how they decided on what colleges to apply to, and what that process was like for them. These conversations can help you form deeper relationships with your teachers, which will help you as you begin applying to college yourself. I hope you are grateful to be surrounded by adults who know what it’s like to be a junior and have been through what you are going through.
Seniors, by now, most of you have finished applying to colleges, heard back from a few schools about admission decisions, and some of you have even officially committed. You may be nearly finished with high school, but your teachers still have so much they can teach you before you step into this next chapter in your life. Go to your teachers and ask them what college was like for them, about the challenges they faced and the friendships they made, and how they got into teaching. Your teachers can provide you with advice and guidance for the life ahead of you, so go seek out that advice. Finally, I encourage you to look back on your time at Wesleyan and be grateful for everything your teachers have done for you and how much they have helped you accomplish.
It is so important that you show appreciation for your teachers and all they do for you. From the start of your high school career all the way to the end and beyond, your teachers are there for you and they care about each and every one of you deeply. Teaching is a truly selfless job, and it is one of the most profound. So, remember to show your wonderful, hard-working teachers some gratitude the next time you see them; let them know you appreciate them and the work they put in to give you the best education possible.
Katelin Browder
Co- Editor-in-Chief
