Some of these teachers have been absolutely instrumental in my educational career here in the Prior Lake - Savage district. It saddens me to realize that no more students will be blessed with having them, but I am also extremely grateful that I was able to know them.

In particular, I am grateful for having Mrs. Hallberg. I've never considered myself to be very math-y, and I guess I still don't. I am just finishing up my AP Calc BC course with her, and I must say that I have learned more within the walls of her classroom over the last nine months than in the rest of my classes combined over the last four years. Our other classes always taught us facts: history and grammar. All of our knowledge gained, though cool, was ultimately useless. In her room, we learned things that mattered. I was allowed to be real with my classmates. I stated opinions, shared ideas, and formed some of the best friends anyone could ask for. We've laughed so hard we've cried, and spent too much time putting puzzles together than we probably should have. During class, Mrs. Hallberg has worked to allow us to apply the math lessons we were working on to the reality of our lives. We've learned the art of studying, of working together. We know that we can rely on each other when the pressure becomes too much. We've learned that no obstacle is as big from the other side. We've learned the grace that comes with making mistakes, and we can now take constructive criticism with dignity.

I owe a lot to Mrs. Hallberg. I am incredibly honored to be among the last of her Calc students. Secretly, I'm hoping she takes a job down at Gustavus next year... I wouldn't mind a few more semesters of her. :-)