We asked our senior academy students to tell us about those educators (teachers, deans, coaches, support staff) they cherished. Their heartfelt responses blew us away.
There’s a difference, no? Sometimes, the most impactful lessons learned in school have nothing to do with textbooks, formulas or history dates. Instead, they are taught in moments of a reassuring smile, a patient explanation after class, or even a gentle push to believe in yourself when your confidence is waning.
With this in mind, we asked our senior academy students to tell us about those educators (teachers, deans, coaches, support staff) they cherished. Their heartfelt responses blew us away. What emerged was a picture of amazing educators who show up day after day, with a willingness to go the extra mile in bringing our children to the feet of Jesus.
These next few pages feature a few of those letters, and we dedicate them to all the mentors—past and present—who believed in us when we needed it most.
Dear Mr. VanDenburgh,
I guarantee you still remember our senior trip. You took all of us boys as a group to talk and asked us a question that I should have been asked earlier in my life. The question was, “What type of man do I want to be when I grow older?” That question made me think about the type of man I wanted to become as I grew older, and it also made me question whether the path I was taking would actually lead me to the type of man that I wanted to be.
After you asked, everyone began answering the question. I heard answers like: kind, compassionate, and hard-working. As I listened to all the answers, I wondered where I needed to make changes in my life, and also whether I was already on the right path, but that’s when I realized I was unknowingly trying to do everything by myself. I rarely praised Him for my victories and rarely asked God for help for anything.
I understood that becoming the man I wanted to be was impossible without walking and talking with God. After this realization, we all prayed as a group and then went to our rooms. The idea that I was keeping God out of the equation kept stinging in my mind.
After that day, I began to pray more consistently. I started praying before tests, which was something I never really used to do. I had always prayed before bed, but it was during family worship, I realized that I needed one-on-one time with God.
I don’t think I would have improved spiritually if you had not asked the question, “What type of man do I want to be when I grow older?” Mr. VanDenburgh, I would like to thank you for asking that life-changing question.
Sincerely,
Bupe Walubita
Dear Mr. Garcia,
I’ll never forget the day that you asked if you could talk to me for a minute, just to present me with a brand-new belt because you felt that my brown one “didn’t go well” with my black pants. This really impacted me in a positive way because while it’s something I didn’t personally care much about, you still took it upon yourself to correct it because of the value you placed on me.
This connects really well to the recent Week of Prayer. Pastor Garhett Morgan explained how a church member did something similar for him just because, in the member’s words, “his pastor lost his shoe.” While Pastor Morgan did not personally care much about his replaceable shoe, a church member still went searching for it because he valued the pastor.
Just today, you signed me out so that you could take me to get a haircut at a barber shop and did all of this out of your own selfless and kind character.
All of these examples are representative of the character that a Seventh-day Adventist can attain when truly allowing themselves to take time to read God’s Word and accept those promises he made to his children, which in turn allows you to build faith in Him.
As the Bible says, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17, NKJV). When one builds faith in Him, one will desire to supplicate that faith with good works or actions. Not because they are saved by their works, for they are already saved by their faith, but because that faith they have acquired creates a desire within them to serve others, as the Word has directed them.
These examples and reasonings are some of the main reasons I have come to develop faith of my own with God, because I was shown his goodness through you, Mr. Garcia. Since you have placed value in serving others because of your faith through the goodness of God, I have come to learn of the goodness of God, as well.
Thank you,
Ethan Marsh
Dear Mr. Carlos,
You are an incredible teacher, mentor, supporter and listener. You have been an important part of my life at Hinsdale Adventist Academy since fifth grade, when you first began teaching me.
Since then, you have helped me understand math, science and history, given me countless pieces of advice that have stayed with me for years, made me laugh and brought me closer to God. Now that I’m in high school and you remain a middle school teacher, your classroom has become a place I visit often—whether to help you grade, to take a quick rest on your classroom couch or to vent about a hard day. No matter why I’m there, you always make me feel welcome and lift my mood.
You have always made me feel empowered. You’ve helped me believe that I can do anything I set my mind to, while also reminding me that hard work matters. You don’t sugarcoat things, and you don’t allow students to believe that anything less than their best is acceptable. You believe in each student’s full potential and push us to reach it. You are stern when necessary, but kind always. You motivate me daily to work hard and have helped me believe in myself at times when I felt like I was failing.
One of the things I admire most is how gracious and understanding you are. No amount of silly mistakes, incorrect answers, or confused questions has ever changed how you see a student. You remain patient and forgiving, reflecting Jesus in the way you teach and care. You show a Christ-like selflessness, whether through the time you’ve spent tutoring me on high school math problems or the daily effort it takes to teach multiple classes across four different grade levels.
Any student would be lucky to have you as a teacher, and I am so blessed to be one of them. I am forever grateful for the impact you have had on my life. Thank you for being exactly the teacher—and person—that you are.
With gratitude,
Ania Prodanov
Dear Mrs. Grimsley,
It feels like yesterday when you used to be my teacher in second grade. Now being a senior, I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to have you as my teacher. I remember being in your classroom with all the bright and beautiful colors, but something more important that felt even brighter was the golden rule that you had hanging up in the classroom. You always encouraged us to be good classmates to every student around us. Not only were you fun with the ways that you would teach us, but you always had a kind and warm presence when I came into the classroom. You taught me so many things back in second grade, and I’ve learned so much as to what it means to be a Christian and a leader of Jesus Christ.
When I was in second grade, I didn’t make the best decisions and when opening up to you about them, you listened to me with an open heart. I had never felt that close to God until then. Then years later, coming to Grand Rapids Adventist Academy was one of the best things that have ever happened to me, especially because I was able to see you again. I had no idea that would ever happen again, and I think it was definitely God's plan.
It wasn’t until I experienced grace from you that I really knew how God was working in your life, as well as mine. You have so much of God’s light and to know that you didn’t judge me when I shared those important things with you so long ago really touched my heart and spoke to me.
Thank you for being a teacher who chooses to listen and understand. Your grace and forgiveness is something that still inspires me every single day and that will continue to shine through my life going to college and with what I want to do with my career someday. I hope to always show the example of your relationship with God with others and to never forget the things you have taught me over the years.
Thank you, Mrs. Grimsley, for being a teacher that is an example of what it means to be a follower of God.
Sincerely,
Seriana Gilmore
Dear Ms. Reeves,
You have helped me grow so much in just two years. I remember a time when prayer wasn’t a part of my life, but it was still deeply rooted in my heart; I just needed someone to nourish and encourage me. That someone was you, Ms. Reeves. I utterly enjoyed every Bible study where you taught the residents of the nursing home about the second coming of Christ. The Tipton residents were ecstatic to see us every Tuesday and Thursday. Nonetheless, I always looked at you and would always admire and be encouraged by your adamant longing for the Bible and the desire for others to discover what you had in the Bible.
I remember, like it was yesterday, when it was my freshman year, and I knew absolutely no one. I was very closed off and never thought I would come out of my shell. Then, I remember when you had asked someone to pray after our Bible study, because no one wanted to volunteer. You chose me. I remember when you told me that, “That prayer was so touching; you should pray [for us] more often.” I knew what you meant, and I took it as an opportunity to apply this to my own life, thanks to your kind words.
One of the things I really appreciate about you is your humility and honesty. You’re never, like ever, afraid to be blunt when it's necessary. Yet your words come from a place of sincerity and care. This alone makes your advice great. Not to mention how you’ve made me laugh through times, in which laughter seemed far removed from me. I was very skeptical about my new life at the dorm and was really worried. So, I came to you and I remember you told me that, “You’ll get used to it.” You weren’t wrong, Ms. Reeves.
Most of all, I want to thank you for your nurturing not just your workers, but every student. Last year, when there was an incident in the Cicero Church; you drove there. You tried everything in your power to calm the mentally distressed woman, and told us you were even willing to die for us that day. That’s who you are, Ms. Reeves, and I will love you always, my grandma away from home.
With love and gratitude,
Solomon Hawkins, sophomore
Dear Mr. Timms,
You probably never knew this, but before volleyball, I never truly loved a sport. Deep down, I always felt like I wasn’t enough. Like, no matter how hard I tried, I could never succeed. When I joined volleyball, I expected it to be the same, another sport that I was only in for the credit, no passion or confidence. But God had other plans in my life, and through you, He showed me something I never expected.
From that very first volleyball class my sophomore year, you never let me give up. Even when I couldn’t serve or get a pass up, you always saw something that I didn’t. I spent that whole year feeling discouraged, doubtful, and like I had no confidence, but you never gave up on me. You saw something in me that I couldn’t see, and I truly believe God used you to help me discover it.
I’ll never forget those three one-on-one practices before school started this year. They were tough, but they changed everything. You didn't just teach me volleyball, but you taught me how to trust the abilities that God gave me. You kept pushing me to step up and hit, even when I said, “I can’t.” You never gave up on me. At the end of those three days, you didn’t just teach me how to hit (my worst skill back then), but you taught me how to believe in myself. The first time I got a solid hit, you cheered me on, and I felt something shift inside of me. It wasn't just confidence, it was gratitude. From then on, I stopped doubting myself and realized that I was enough. That I really did have something going for me.
You taught me that success isn't about perfection, but about effort, teamwork and showing God's love in everything I do. I learned that confidence is built through faith and effort. Thank you for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. For reminding me that with God’s strength, I can do all things. You didn’t just teach me skills in volleyball, but to love the sport, to have confidence, patience and faith in God and myself. You’ve had a bigger impact on my life than you probably realize, and I'll carry your lessons with me always. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Diana Rios-Sanchez
