A letter from Jun 18, 2025

Dear Future Me, If you’re reading this, it's been two years since your Summer course at APU. I hope you’re still holding on and enjoying every moment, good or bad. This letter is to remind you why you chose teaching in the first place, especially for the days when you’re tired, stretched thin, or wondering if you’re making an impact. Remember, you didn’t choose this path because it was going to be easy or enchanting. You chose it because you care. You care about the students you come across in the classroom, school halls, or the library. You wanted to be the kind of teacher who makes students feel seen and supported, the one who helps them believe in themselves, even when the world doesn’t. You’ve always believed that education should be meaningful, inclusive, and full of heart. You love language and culture and how they connect people. You became a teacher because you wanted to share that love with your students, to show them how learning a new language can open up a whole new world. And even more than that, you wanted your classroom to be a place where students feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. So, when the days get long or when you're second-guessing yourself, take a breath. Remember your “why.” You’re doing more good than you know. Even the small wins matter—a smile, a thank-you, a student trying again after failing. You’ve got this. Keep showing up. Keep teaching. Keep being you, but better every single day. Sincerely, Your Past Self