Every year about this time former students who are now seniors start dropping by to see me. Next week is their final week and graduation is on 25 May 2024. As teachers, we rarely know the impact we have had on our students but every so often we have some who take the time to let us know how we have helped them. These notes I receive from students are gold and remind me of why I am a teacher and continue to teach (even though I could retire any day I want to). Watching them walk the stage into the next phase of their life on graduation day is amazing but also sad knowing that I most likely will never see them again.
(This student's name is covered for privacy reason obviously)

What teacher made the biggest difference in your life? Mine was my seventh grade math teacher, Mrs. Csilla DePue, an Hungarian immigrant who came to the United States in 1958 at the age of fifteen. She believed in me when nobody else did. She followed me throughout high school, the Marines, DeVry getting my degree in electronics engineering, getting married, the birth of my children and my return to school to get my degree in mathematics to become a math teacher. Without her support and guidance I don't think I would be where I am today. Thank you Mrs. DePue!