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As I write this, tomorrow is the first day of school for many teachers across the country, including for my wife and for many of my friends. Of course, as you know, I used to be a teacher myself.

I left education a few years ago to pursue a career in the corporate world, and that was the perfect move for me. I have no regrets about my decision and have never been professionally happier, but I will always respect those who teach. It is an honorable profession, and it is one that is essential to our society.

I often joke about teachers molding our nation’s future, but it really is true. Teachers are the ones who shape our tomorrow. They are the ones who teach our children the skills they need to succeed in life. They are the ones who inspire our children to dream big and to reach for the stars. In a perfect world, kids are getting this both at home and in the classroom, but my experience taught me that, for many students, I was the only adult they could count on day in and day out to be consistent, kind, fair, respectable, and respectful.

I know that teachers work long hours and that they are often underpaid. I know that they deal with difficult students and challenging parents. But I also know that they are passionate about their work, and that they are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of their students. Some are better than others, sure, but I guarantee you that the vast majority of teachers truly do care about their students and want to do right by them.

Tomorrow, as teachers return to work, I want to say “thank you.” Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for making tomorrow a better world than today. Thank you for inspiring our children.

Good luck, and have a great year.