Julianne Hough honors teachers with #ThanksTeach for SONIC's Limeades for Learning campaign

Teachers are, aside from parents and other close family members, often some of the most important people in a child's life. And for many, including Julianne Hough, they can have a massively positive influence on them.

May is Teacher Appreciation Month, and Hough is teaming up with SONIC for their #ThanksTeach campaign, which donates up to $1 million to public school teacher projects across America through Limeades for Learning.

"I owe a lot of who I am today to my teachers," Julianne said, "Especially one in particular who really help shape my high school experience."

When she was young, Hough traveled a lot -- which could make various aspects of school difficult. It's not easy to perpetually be the new kid, and traveling so much made it hard to be part of programs at school. But that all changed in her senior year thanks to one teacher in particular: Julianne had missed tryouts for the school's Dance Company, but the teacher was willing to make an exception to audition her.

"It was awesome. It completely changed my whole experience and dynamic for finishing high school. And it helped to create the path of what I was going to do next."

And we all know where that incredible path has taken her!

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The actress, professional dancer, judge on Dancing with the Stars (and so much more) is almost always on the go, but makes sure to take some time to relax when she can. Her go-to source of a fool-proof wind-down? Lavender.

"Anything lavender! I love bath bombs and oils -- they just make me feel relaxed."

But that's no all she does to unwind. "I also love just going to the movies by myself and turning off for a little bit. I love going on walks and hikes with my dogs, and cooking at home. It's really nice, it can be sort of meditative."

But while she's one of the busiest people around, it doesn't seem like she'd change it for the world. When asked about her involvement about DWTS, she gushed, "Oh, they're my family! This is where it all started for me when I was 18 years old."

And now that she's a judge, she's a part of the family in a different -- but equally meaningful -- way.

"I try to give my constructive criticism in a way that the competitors know that it's about encouraging them ... that I believe in them and I want them to improve," she said, "that I get what they're going through because I've been there. It's such a fulfilling part of being a judge on the show."

You can contribute to the Limeades for Learning campaign by sharing why you're thankful for your teachers on social media, and tagging it with #ThanksTeach.