Heartfelt words highlight lasting impact of educators
By Juliann Morris and Dyuce Woodson
May 30, 2023–Get the tissues ready! JCPS graduating seniors penned letters to the teachers who made the biggest impact on them during their K-12 school careers. Watch six of those seniors surprise their teachers with heartfelt messages of gratitude.
"You inspire me to become like you and like the type of teacher that you are and to be the teacher that students feel like they can come to." - Louisville Male High School senior Sydney B. to Ms. Walz
"You will always hold a special place in my heart regardless of where the next chapter of my life takes me." - duPont Manual High School senior Sophia K. to Ms. Kederis
"I am an awesome student because of you. I am an amazing singer because of you. I'm a kind and caring person because of you. My mental health is really fantastic because of you, and I feel like I can conquer anything because of you." - Doss High School senior Yusuf A. to Ms. Humphrey
"You believed in fifth-grade Emily when no one else would, so much so there was enough to challenge her future and help create the person I am today." - Pleasure Ridge Park High School senior Emily I. to Ms. Montgomery, her former teacher at Johnsontown Road Elementary
"When I think about you, I think about a feeling, a feeling of acceptance, of inclusion, of belonging, a feeling that ultimately saved my life, or more accurately, convinced me that my life was worth saving." - J. Graham Brown School senior Lila C. to Ms. Densford
"I love you so much and will carry the things you taught me throughout life." - Fairdale High School senior Zahrah A. to Ms. Lowery, her former teacher at Hazelwood Elementary