Teacher appreciation

For those of us who have completed our years of school, from elementary school on to high school and even through college, it is likely we have some perspective that let’s us look back and think fondly of some of our favorite teachers.

Even for students who are still in the midst of their school days, there are probably teachers they have already created special bonds with or moments where they feel that their teacher has made a difference in their lives.

This influence can make a big difference.

It can come in any of the myriad things teachers do that resonate with a student.

Whether it is taking those extra minutes to listen when a young student has a story they are excited to share or taking that extra time to help work through a math problem or listening to a student’s ideas on the meaning of a classic book or showing appreciation for writing skills or fanning the flame for students with a love of the arts or music or encouraging them to go the extra mile on the athletic field, teachers have an influence that resonates.

In some cases it can even be this influence that helps us on our path to follow our passions and study harder, or push ourselves to explore new ideas in college or even helping us find our path in our adult lives with careers that were inspired by those little extra bits of encouragement we got from that teacher that we remember years later.

Needless to say the role teachers play in our lives is not one that is easily confined or defined by the strict parameters of the school day and can have a lasting impact on our lives.

According to pta.org, since 1984, the National PTA has designated one week in May as a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children.

Last week, the first full week of May, was set aside as that week to stop and think about the educators in our lives and the lives of our children and to show our appreciation.

In recent years teachers have shown an incredible ability to adapt and keep working to offer the best possible education for students.

In 2020 as everything closed there was a great deal of uncertainty about so much, including how schools would function.

Teacher rose to the challenge of teaching remotely and adapting lessons to this new reality. This was no small task and one that had to come together fairly quickly.

Even as schools returned to normal, teachers had to adapt to split schedules where students were present part of the time and remote other days.

And even now as schools have returned to more or less normal teachers are still working to address the challenges that the past couple of years posed, often going the extra mile to help students who may need a little extra help.

This is all in addition to the many hours teachers put in on evenings, weekends and holidays to grade work, prepare lessons, make evaluations and numerous other tasks that cannot be done during the regular school day.

Many teachers even go above and beyond purchasing supplies and other needed materials for their classes with their own money.

For many of us the pandemic may have given us a little more insight into what it is like to be a teacher and a better sense of the work they put in every day.

For many of us this has helped give us a deeper appreciation for the role educators play in the lives of our children and this has carried on even as things returned to normal and we see all the work teachers continue to put in for our children.

While the appreciation week has passed, like any other profession, extending courtesy and appreciation can go a long way.

It never hurts to reach out to your children’s teachers and have a conversation, ask questions and let them know the work they do makes a difference.

Or for other ideas visit pta.org to get some thought on ways to show appreciation for local teachers.

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