Letters to My Students

"When looking for pleasure in this life remember: Whatever refreshes you without distracting you from your ultimate goal or purpose is a legitimate pleasure. Anything that distracts you from your purpose, avoided it at all costs." -Ravi Zacharias

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To My Dear Students, 2020-2021

We are almost officially there!! Summer vacation 2021!! This has been such a challenging year, and this school year more than any other I was as much a student as you all. I’m not tech savvy and being an art teacher I wasn’t familiar with google classroom. I have never taught virtually before so there were many firsts for me and for us all. In September we set off into uncharted territory and it felt awkward and strange and I'm sure like me, you all feel this summer vacation has never been more necessary.
We started the year off talking about perspective. To me perspective is everything, it’s important how we look at things and what our focus is. As I self-reflect (and I hope you always do as well) I can look back and see all the good and tough moments throughout this school year, the things that worked, successes and the mistakes that were made. I can say I’m grateful for it all, even the mistakes because I learned so much from them. I don’t know how all of you are feeling, maybe it was a successful year under the circumstances for some, maybe like me you struggled at times and felt overwhelmed, or a mixture of both. Maybe you feel guilty because you know you didn’t do your best, maybe procrastination got the best of you, but I hope however you feel you can see that whether it was good or bad, it's behind you. Whatever you experienced, successes and failures, please let it help you grow, let it all make you better. Experience is the ultimate teacher. This life is all about graciously accepting our ups and downs. So I encourage you to never give up, keep fighting for the best parts of you to shine. And shine!!! Be a light and a hope in this world, there's enough darkness and pain. Every day is a clean slate/canvas:) an opportunity to begin again.
As I shared, I like to start my days with gratitude, and having walked through my most difficult teaching year by far, I have to say a big thank you to you all!! A special shout out to those of you who helped me with tech issues, those who showed up every day and did what you were asked to do- - you were my inspiration and strength!! I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart!! And whether you are one of my A+ students or someone who struggled this year, I can say 99% of you were always so kind and polite and it truly helped make this very challenging year easier.
So, as we wrap up this year and say our goodbyes I want to wish you all a wonderful summer!! It’s been a pleasure. I hope you find time to rest, time to be creative: I hope joyful memories are made. I look forward to seeing my underclassmen when we return in September. And to all my seniors- - I wish you every happiness and blessings upon blessings!! Do good, be your best, live a life you’re proud of, and come back and visit. Be well. God bless you all.
Love always,
Mrs. Perez

Letter to my 2016-2017 Classes.

(I had to take a medical leave of absence abruptly in March 2017)

To My Dear Students,

First, I want to say I miss you and I hope you are all doing well. I've always honestly been able to say that I love my job. I hope you were able to see that while I was your teacher. Life can change in a second and I'm writing you now to say some things I hope you carry with you. In the beginning of the year on those first few days of class I told you we were all created for a purpose, that we were all given gifts we were meant to use to bless others with. We were created to create beautiful things, and I don't mean just art, but friendships, teams, projects, music and poetry to name a few. Right now and every day you are creating memories, so I can't encourage you enough to create good memories, laugh often and live up to your potential. Figure out what your purpose is, even if at first it's short term, like doing well in school. Once you've made a commitment start asking yourself these questions: where are the places you go? What are the things you watch and listen to? Are you where you're supposed to be?

"When looking for pleasure in this life remember: whatever refreshes you without distracting you from your ultimate goal or purpose is a legitimate pleasure. Anything that distracts you from your purpose, avoided it at all costs." It's not worth it. Always remember your primary responsibilities and goals. I can't encourage you enough to be a good example to others.

Don't lead other people into things you ought not to lead them into. Don't cause others to stumble. Be an encourager, let that become your legacy. And always protect that legacy, find balance. If you've made mistakes, that's OK- we all have and we all will. Don't give up, turn things around and become the best version of yourself. There is a time for everything, find balance in your life, enjoy your youth but don't squander your sacred purpose and potential.

When I start the painting unit I always talk about the beauty of the blank canvas. How every day we are presented a blank canvas in life and it's up to us to create beautiful pictures at home and with friends and people we cross paths with throughout our day.

Surround yourself with good things; the closer you get to good things the closer you get to your destiny. You are the future, I believe in you and pray you have the strength to overcome any obstacle's and trials you may face. This life is all about graciously accepting our successes and failures. Never give up, keep fighting for the best parts of you to shine. And shine!!! Be a light and a hope in this world, there's enough darkness and pain in this world. I look forward to seeing you all when I return. God bless you.

Love always,
Mrs. Perez

Letter to my 2019-2020 Classes.

To My Dear Students,

First, I want to say I miss you and I hope you and your families are all doing well. It feels so surreal walking through the last few months. I didn’t think for a second when we left that day in March I wouldn’t see you all again. This season we are journeying through is unprecedented, it’s all uncharted territory and I pray you’re all finding your way. I’m sure like me your days are very different, maybe for some easier, and for some much harder, as we find our new normal. Please remember I’m here to help if you should ever need anything. I wish you all a wonderful summer.

I've always honestly been able to say that I love my job. I hope you were able to see that while I was your teacher. Life can change in a second as we’ve all experienced in 20/20. I'm writing you now to say some things I hope you carry with you. In the beginning of the year on those first few days of class I told you we were all created for a purpose, that we were all given gifts we were meant to use to bless others with, and to help bring peace to the chaos on all levels: at school, home, and in our minds. Our world is so very divided at this moment, and I’m hoping we all find peace and that all of this leads us to a better place. We are one community that can proudly say diversity is our strength. I’ve also shared how grateful I am for those of you who have shared your gifts of kindness and grace with me, thanks for making our class time so enjoyable. We were all created to create beautiful things, and I don't mean just art, but moments, friendships, teams, projects, music and poetry to name a few. Right now, and every day you are creating memories, so I can't encourage you enough to create good memories, laugh often and live up to your potential. Start thinking about and figuring out what your purpose is, even if at first it's short term, like doing well in school and at home. Once you've made a commitment start asking yourself these questions: where are the places you go? What are the things you watch and listen to? Are you where you're supposed to be?

"When looking for pleasure in this life remember: Whatever refreshes you without distracting you from your ultimate goal or purpose is a legitimate pleasure. Anything that distracts you from your purpose, avoid it at all costs." It's not worth it. Always remember your primary responsibilities and goals. I can't encourage you enough to be a good example to others. Don't lead other people into things you ought not to lead them into. Don't cause others to stumble. Be an encourager, let that become your legacy. And always protect that legacy, find balance. If you've made mistakes, that's OK- we all have and we all will. Don't give up, turn things around and become the best version of yourself. There is a time for everything, find balance in your life, enjoy your youth but don't squander your sacred purpose and potential. You are special and unique, please own that.

When I start our painting unit (for some classes we never got there) I talk about the beauty of the blank canvas. How every day we are presented a blank canvas/clean slate in life and it's up to us to create beautiful pictures at home and with friends and people we cross paths with throughout our day.

Surround yourself with good things; the closer you get to good things the closer you get to your destiny. You are the future, I believe in you and pray you have the strength to overcome any obstacle's and trials you may face, especially now. This life is all about graciously accepting our successes and failures. Never give up, keep fighting for the best parts of you to shine. And shine!!! Be a light and a hope in this world, there's enough darkness and pain. I look forward to seeing my underclassmen when we return to school. And my seniors, I wish you every happiness and blessings upon blessings!! Do good, be your best, live a life you’re proud of and come back and visit. Be well. God bless you all.

Love always,

Mrs. Perez