Positive letter:
To Mr. de Jong,
I just wanted to notify you that I have just landed my first job as a professional engineer! I went through a lot of pain in my coursework over the years, but I was able to make it through, largely due to the way you taught me math back in high school. The way you were able to connect the subject matter to applications in real life really inspired me to pursue an engineering degree, as I could see the relevance in what I was learning. I hope you continue to teach the way you do, so that other people can pursue their passion.
Negative letter:
Dear Mr. de Jong,
I am writing you today to let you know that your class has taught me nothing. I was able to read a textbook and answer problems without your help, and it really left me wondering why we have teachers in the first place. I was able to be accepted into the local university, even though you tried your hardest to give me a low grade, because "I didn't put in the effort". Well, you have to realize that I have many other courses I am taking, and I don't believe math to be of much importance in my future as a humanities major. Your subject is not that special, and it's my job to make you realize that.
My hope is that students who leave my class will come out of it inspired, even if it is a mandatory class that they initially have little interested in. Being able to instill a passion inside of them is the reason that I plan to teach.
One worry I have is working with students who already have it set in their mind that math is difficult and not of practical importance. These attitudes are set as early as elementary school, and being able to break this idea after years of disdain will be a challenge.
Well done Kyle! Thanks.
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