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Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-8
Teacher Appreciation
“Last spring, government leaders began determining who qualified as an “essential” worker during the lockdowns. Unsung heroes in so many industries surfaced as essential to the continued operation of the nation, state and local community. Educators quickly rose to the top of the list as school communities raced to develop distance learning plans to continue the education process. This was no surprise because our teachers have always been essential to student formation – spiritually, academically and socially.
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From day one of the pandemic, our teachers have stretched themselves to new limits as they embraced new technology and teaching methods, adjusted to changing phases and protocols, and continued to maintain a sense of “normalcy” in the classrooms so that students could have the best possible experience. The success of this school year is attributed to our unwavering faith in God and the heroic efforts of the entire faculty and staff at E. D. White Catholic.”
Michelle Chiasson, principal
E.D. White Catholic
High School, Thibodaux
Story by Janet Marcel
National Teacher Appreciation Week, a celebration in recognition of teachers and the contributions they make to education and society, is May 2-8, 2021. Teacher Appreciation Day, which is May 4, 2021, is described by the National Education Association (NEA), which spearheads the weeklong event, as “a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”
This celebration is held every year to provide an opportunity for students, parents, and school principals to show their appreciation for the hard work teachers do and the long hours many of them put in.
Teachers and staff have had to deal with a difficult situation over the past year and certainly deserve extra recognition for their understanding and commitment. It would be an understatement to say that this past year has been particularly challenging on all school personnel, students, parents, and especially teachers.
After the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in March 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards issued a proclamation that closed all public K-12 schools. In the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Catholic school a
“As I reflect on what our teachers have done during this school year, I find it difficult to find the right words. Looking back on March 13, 2020, when we received word that the school was closing, the teachers immediately began to prepare for the unknown, which was distance learning. I can actually say that at first the teachers worked through fear and uncertainty as this journey began but soon confronted the new challenge with every ounce of energy and dedication they possessed. Collaboration began immediately as teachers were supporting teachers, and teachers were supporting parents and students. Everyone worked together, never complaining and never giving up our goal. Our goal was to master the task of educating in a new way, while assuring the learning gap would be minimal. These teachers are super heroes that will never get the true recognition they deserve.”
Lydia Landry, principal
St. Bernadette Catholic
School, Houma
Teacher Appreciation
administrator-ministers and teacher-ministers immediately begin preparations for distance learning, which continued through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
Because of the pandemic, schools were forced to cancel and/or delay their awards ceremonies, kindergarten and 7th/8th grade graduation Masses, school dances, sporting events, high school graduations, and other end of the school year celebrations. In addition to going above and beyond to ensure that students remained academically prepared, Catholic school personnel made concerted efforts to recognize students for various accomplishments, both academic and athletic, in creative and unique ways utilizing social media, delivering personalized yard signs to the houses of graduating seniors, kindergarteners and seventh/eighth graders, and drive by ceremonies.
“I express my great gratitude to the teachers, principals, administrators, staff, maintenance and custodial staff, students and parents as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week,” says Bishop Shelton J. Fabre. “I thank all of you for the extra effort that was put forth this year to keep our school communities safe, and to keep our youth in school. God bless you all! May the Holy Spirit reward you for your great effort!”
The origins of National Teacher Day are somewhat murky. Around 1944, Arkansas teacher a
“St. Genevieve School’s greatest blessing is our teachers. Each one is special and unique, but they have one thing in common. They care that each student succeeds. If one child falls behind, they will catch them back up. We’re taught to be team players and always help a friend in need. Our teachers are our best examples. They are truly amazing.”
Layla Politz, fourth grade
St. Genevieve Catholic School, Thibodaux
“I am thankful for my teachers at St. Mary’s Nativity year round. I most appreciate their caring personalities and dedication to their faith. I’m grateful for their kindness, and I appreciate the high expectations they set for all students. They make sure we are successful in our academics. Our teachers are doing their best in this pandemic to keep things as normal as possible, while also making sure we are learning in the safest environment.”
Cooper Duplantis, seventh grade
St. Mary’s Nativity School, Raceland
Teacher Appreciation
“What I appreciate most about the teachers at Central Catholic is they not only help me learn new things, but also grow as a person. The teachers never let me down and always encourage me to strive to do better. All of my teachers are very friendly and work hard to help me and my classmates. My teachers are a big part of my life because of the impact and influence they have on me.”
Franco Saleme, eighth grade
Central Catholic School, Morgan City
“The teachers of Vandebilt are shaping our generation to become the best we can be. They guide, educate, inspire and empower us as we navigate the road ahead. I know that the lessons they have taught me have helped to build self-confidence, enabling me to face the challenges of the present and the future. I appreciate my teachers’ patience and understanding, especially during this past year. In light of all that is going on in the world, they are there to restore normalcy to my everyday life. Thank you, my Vandebilt teachers, for the sacrifices you make every day.”
Mia Martin, 11th grade
Vandebilt Catholic High School, Houma Mattye Whyte Woodridge began corresponding with political and education leaders about the need for a national day to honor teachers. Woodridge wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt, who in 1953 persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day. The National Education Association (NEA), along with its Kansas and Indiana state affiliates lobbied Congress to create a national day to celebrate teachers. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day for that year only. NEA and its affiliates continued to observe National Teacher Day in March until 1985, when the NEA Representative Assembly voted to change the event to Tuesday of the first full week of May (https://www.nea.org/resource-library/celebratenational-teacher-day).
“During National Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor and pray in an intentional way for all of our teacherministers who work tirelessly to afford our students a high-quality, faith-filled education in our Catholic schools. How blessed we are to have such dedicated men and women who positively impact our school families, each and every day, through their witness and actions!” says Suzanne Troxclair, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools.
During challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic, we truly recognize and appreciate that teachers play such a crucial role in children’s lives and how their influence on students can make a difference in their longterm wellbeing and success. BC
