Letter #4

Dear 8th Grade, 

I can't seem to get away from this science based theme. Today, I am thinking about Newton's first law, "An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force." 

I can't help but think of all the forces in my life that have changed my not just my direction but overall velocity. We learned that velocity is what we call a vector quantity, meaning that it has a speed and direction. One of the biggest forces I faced was when my dad died. It changed the speed at which I was going, and ultimately my career path. It forced me to slow down, and reevaluate what's important to me. 

When you're a teenager sometimes life appears to be going faster than it takes the earth to spin on it's axis, and you just can't seem to keep up with all the changes. Your voice is changing. Your mood is changing. Your friends are changing. Your relationships are changing. And most of the time you're not sure of what to do - and sometimes you just wish the change would stop. You feel like there are forces stronger than gravity pushing and pulling and are unsure which way to go. 

I just ask that in the midst of all the change you find at least two-three things to keep consistent. It's like brushing your teeth, there are things you have an automatic reflex to complete. That never changes. You wake up, and brush your teeth. Find a few things in life that are like brushing your teeth. They become so automatic that you don't even realize you're completing them. Those are the things that keep us grounded while the world keeps spinning and we do our best to keep up. 

Keep moving forward beautiful people. Put one foot in front of the other and don't quit - even when you desperately want to. 

I'm proud to be your teacher. 

Yours truly, 

​Ms. St. Jean