This week, social media has been full of all things promoting teacher appreciation. My Pinterest feed has so many wonderful and creative ideas to show a teacher just how thankful we are. There are pictures all over Facebook with the ideas different friends have carried out and want to show off that they are giving to their kid’s teachers.
Teachers are the talented force leading our future. They absolutely should be appreciated. I speak from the heart because I have been a teacher for fourteen years. My school’s parent teacher association has spoiled us every year during this appreciation week. They even make it a point to do so even when it is not nationally recognized. Teachers do not make a lot of money and when it comes to perks that other jobs may have in terms of material things and even a decent cafeteria for coffee, we just don’t have it. This week as we are showered in chocolate, coffee, goodies, and gift cards, we enjoy it. We LOVE the flowers and homemade gifts. There is nothing like a student who has spent time on a card to tell us they love us. It always makes the heart full to be appreciated.
This is not the case in all schools.
Think about your child’s school. What does it look like? How are the other parents? Do they mainly have jobs? Is there a big support system within the community of the school?
Think about schools where you would not want your child to be at each day. Is there poverty? Drug issues? Fighting?
Now think about the teachers who walk into that environment each day.
Schools do not all look alike. There are people who teach children whose parents are not involved at all. Sometimes, parents are working more than one or two jobs and cannot be there to do homework daily. Grandparents or other caretakers may have stepped in because the parent is in prison or has simply abandoned all parental duties.
Communities may be full of crime and low income housing.
The children in these schools come each day with the weight of the world on their shoulders and dealing with circumstances out of their control. Teachers still have to teach from their lesson plans and implement the curriculum that they have spent so much time preparing.
How would you feel if your child passed a drug deal on the streets as they walked home or that the threat of gang violence was a normal existence?
As these children sit in a classroom, there is a teacher who is there to believe in them. To teach them even if they are not the most behaved or if they have been raised to believe a teacher is out to get them. These teachers fight battles to help students succeed when so many things are in the way of reaching their goals.
Many times you will hear a teacher say I want to make a difference or that if they do not step up, who will?
Trust me when I say these heroes are not all getting cute little cards that say, “I love you a latte” or a parent sponsored meal that day.
Education is so important in a child’s life. It will bring them the tools they need to be successful as they grow up and navigate the real world.
Teachers are the captains that bring the love of learning and achieving to so many in our population that have little to nothing else. That is a hard reality.
Do you know a teacher who is faithful to a student or class that could use love and learning in their lives? Do you know a school nearby that could benefit with some donations of books or resources that other schools get on a normal basis?
Would you be willing to appreciate someone who is doing it for the cause even if the outcome is not something you always have a front row seat to?
Teacher appreciation is such a universal concept. It is truly one that we should see everywhere.
Thank you to all of you who support teachers.
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Such a beautiful and poignant post, Stacy. I love this take on teacher appreciation. I remember thinking I wanted to teach in a more challenging school. I loved the romance of movies like “Stand and Deliver.” I got a job at a Title 1 school in the suburbs and it almost killed me. I have so much respect and admiration for teachers who dedicate their lives to doing more. Really appreciated this post.
I am doubly appreciative of my children’s teachers because my boys both have learning disabilities. Their teachers have been integral in helping us figure out how they learn.
All so very true. My kids are still only in preschool but already I see the difference their teachers are making – it is amazing and very special. I am so thankful for those who dedicate themselves to our children in this way.
I am sure they appreciate that you feel this way!
I have nothing but admiration for teachers. My children and me as well have been blessed with wonderful educators. I can’t imagine how tired teachers must be this time of year and how important to have that appreciation.
So true! Thank you!
That’s lovely and a great message. Both of my parents were teachers. My dad moved into working in other areas of the education system, and my mum always taught/was a headteacher. It is a very important job, that is often underappreciated and recognised.
So true! What wonderful work your parents must have done!
You have inspired me. My boys and I are going to get teacher gifts for the 3rd grade teachers at a school that has lower parent input.
They will appreciate that so much!
I hear you loud and clear–eight years of middle school language arts and ESOL for me. The kids need support now more than ever and often teachers are the only ones available to give that to them. It’s a tough and critically important job!
So true!