“Hola! ¿Cómo estás?” (Hello! How are you?)

These three words are what I look forward to every single day when arriving at school at 8 a.m. Such a simple phrase, in fact, one of the first things students learn in Spanish, can always brighten up my day.

Among the rows of classrooms, where voices echo in symphony, there sits a special place, a realm where conjugations blossom and vocabulary floats through the classroom—the enticing room of E-108. As the Halloween decorations come down, the fall aroma of Thanksgiving festivities fills the air, and the spirit of gratitude envelopes us, I find myself reflecting on my Spanish journey. Among memorization requiring vocabulary lists, head-hurting verb conjugations, and difficult listening exams, one vibrant feature stands out. The valuable guidance you, Señora Samantha Silverman, have woven into my academic journey. 

Even before entry, students are always able to hear your radiating voice. Whether you’re conversing with students about their weekend or an epic soccer showdown that will be taking place, your energetic chatter relieves me. Your classroom serves as a safe place for me, from all of my burdens. In a way it’s indescribable, but I suppose your classroom dynamic is the reason for these feelings. You’ve created an atmosphere where each student feels seen, respected, and heard not as students but as people with unique experiences. 

On many occasions, your ability to connect with students on a personal level fosters a sense of camaraderie, which is exactly what many of us need to get through the day. Each lesson becomes more than just a series of knowledge and transforms into a shared adventure. The amount of devotion that you provide for us students goes beyond the classroom. You’re a constant motivator of our hobbies like Johnson’s obsessions with cars, of our academic pursuits like Zachary’s sleepless nights because of AP classes, and sports like my plans for the upcoming badminton season. 

I will never forget the first day we met, the gloomy first day of the second semester of freshman year, which was also my first day at AHS. I was chewing gum, and your teacher instincts kicked in, and you kindly yet sternly said to me “escupes tu chicle” (spit out your gum); though these direct words had no underlying meaning, I knew that I would enjoy learning Spanish from you. It will serve as an interaction that I will never forget. 

Freshman year was a tornado; my grades blew and whirled me in all sorts of directions. Spanish was one of the subjects I was borderline failing in. It was impossible to catch up. While everyone already knew how to write short paragraphs, I still had trouble with sounding out the alphabet and conjugating verbs. Needless to say, you came to the rescue and equipped me with a tutor you saw fit, and my grade began to rise from there. One day after class you told me once that it didn’t matter how good my tutor is; instead, I was the one in control of how I applied myself. These words have struck me and promoted a shift in perspective giving me a new drive in studying. These simple, yet motivating words, have stuck with me until now.   

My gratitude for your unwavering support and the pivotal role you have played in my life and academic journey is indescribable. The impacts you’ve created are immeasurable, and I express my deepest gratitude to you. 

So with that being said, Happy Thanksgiving or as they say in France, “Joyeux Action de Graces” according to Google Translate, except I wouldn’t know since I didn’t take French. I took Spanish, and it was one of the best decisions ever.

I’m so appreciative of everything. Your passion for teaching and the genuine care you extend to all your students have not only made learning Spanish a delightful journey but have also left an enduring imprint on my academic growth and personal development!

¡Gracias por todo, Señora Silverman! ¡Feliz día de acción de gracias! (Thank you for everything, Mrs. Silverman! Happy Thanksgiving!)