I was a happy person yesterday – happy to be back in my classroom with my good-natured and dedicated students. They may not always write perfect essays, but they have friendly and generous hearts, and, though they may sometimes fail to follow my directions exactly, I believe they genuinely want to be successful students. It’s a pleasure to work day after day with young people like these, and it’s an honor for me to be able to do so. I feel utterly grateful that I am given the privilege of teaching these kids. It’s as if I have been carefully chosen for a special and significant duty – as if the parents of my students have said, “We have searched everywhere, and we believe you are the best English teacher for our children. We entrust them into your hands.” I couldn’t feel more honored if I had been chosen to guard the President of the United States. I hold my head high at school, proud to be performing such a singular duty, proud to be part of such an elite profession.