Dear teacher,

Another year is beginning, and every day I will relinquish my precious children into your care. Do you know how important you are to me? To them? From this day forward, you are a valuable force in what defines them. You will encourage or discourage, inspire or disappoint, empower or belittle, engage or neglect, instruct or demand, fill or deplete…

These young lives I have placed in your hands.

Your role is significant as it will either propel my kids forward, or pull them back. Much of their life will revolve around you. Your character will resonate in them, and your values will slowly slip into their hearts as they watch you and learn from you each day. Your words, your manners, your voice and your message will constantly affect their existence. You will be at the center of their lives, during a time of critical development and growth. Oh, how fragile a child’s spirit is…

You hold that spirit in the palm of your hands.

As you concentrate on test scores and skill levels, may I remind you of your greatest calling with children?

To grace them with potential and promise.

For one statement to a child can change the course of a child’s life.

How many times I have heard how a teacher’s word compelled someone to follow a dream. How many times I have heard a person battle one negative message from a teacher throughout a life of questioning their worth?

Your role will make a difference. Your purpose will prevail and you will be an integral part of their future. You will also hold a piece of their history. You will leave a lasting imprint on their hearts and in their minds. Every student you teach will be greatly influenced by your daily decisions, your reactions, and your intentions.

And with that truth, may you hold onto your calling with a fierce grip for the sake of our kids.

Every day that you go to work, I hope you can remind yourself that you are not teaching a “class”, but rather a group of unique individuals with different needs and dreams and fears and faults. May you stretch hard and reach far to touch each child’s life with a loving hand and a tender heart. May you realize the power you hold, and may God use you in a mighty way…

You hold their potential and promise.

It will be up to you to give your students these gifts.

I know your job is exhausting. You are human, and parents often expect too much from you. I understand the pressure to perform. I know you can’t do it all. But I also know that you have chosen to lead and educate kids and the passion that inspired that choice still lives in you. Don’t let anything or anyone put that fire out. Your students are depending on the light it exudes.

I will be praying for it to keep burning within you every day.

Most Sincerely and ever passionately,

The heart of a mother.

This post was first published at TheMomCafe.com.