"Dear Mr. Graham..."

"Dear Mr. Graham..."

"I'm living with Grandma since Mom and Dad moved into a new house, and there's not room for me there."

"I've failed school for the last three years, and there's nothing you can do to stop me from failing again."

"I'm sorry I keep sleeping in class; my parents made me stay up to pour them alcohol all night."

"It feels hopeless. I'm already so far behind. There's no point in me trying at this point."

"Another student touched me inappropriately, and he made me feel worthless."

"I don't see any point to this, I'm not ever going to be able to get it."

"I just got prescribed some antidepressants. Hopefully they'll help."

"I miss my parents, I'm not allowed to live with them anymore."

"I'm not doing a group project. They'll see I'm stupid."

"You say you care, but you don't. No one cares."

"If I don't have Bs and As, my parents hit me."

"My mom tried to commit suicide last night"

"My grandpa died in a car crash yesterday."

"I don't think there's a point to life."

"My dad used to abuse me."

"I push everyone away."

"I'm not important."

"No one likes me." "I'm pregnant."

"Help me."

Sincerely,

Your Students

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When you ask a teacher how their day is going, these are a few of the things they'll be thinking about but can't say. These are the things that go through their head as they are trying to fall asleep. These are the things that they hate most about their job, while also being the reason they press on. These are the things they'll never forget. They can't forget, because their kids can't either.

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28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30