The first week of May marks a time to recognize those who work tirelessly for our children day in and day out: Teachers. As a former teacher myself, (I am currently on an extended leave with my twins) I can attest to what this week means to those working in the classroom. Teaching can often feel like a thankless job. The days are filled with state mandated test pressure, benchmarks that feel impossible to reach, and endless meetings. However, at the heart of the profession is the children and I know that’s what keeps teachers going even on the hardest days. Now that my oldest is in Kindergarten, I have an even deeper respect for those who choose to make their career in the classroom. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to not only my daughter’s teacher, but to all of the teachers out there:
Thank you for planning meaningful lessons everyday that meet the needs of not only my child but the other twenty in the classroom too.
Thank you for working late into the evenings planning and grading when I know you could be spending time with your own family.
Thank you for creating a bright, happy, print rich environment that makes the children feel welcome each day. I know that for some kids, your classroom is the happiest place they will be all day.
Thank you for having patience when a child is having a bad day and takes it out on you. You realize that a bad day doesn’t mean a “bad child.”
Thank you Elementary School teachers for creating the foundation for our children’s entire education. Without you, they would not be able to be successful later in life.
Thank you Secondary teachers for teaching our children to challenge their thinking and pushing them to be better. Without you, they would not be able to be successful later in life.
Thank you for holding our children as if they were your own when they get sick or scared in the middle of the day.
Thank you for talking to that teenager who may need your ear more than you realize. Your single conversation with that child may change the course of their day, or their entire life, and you’ll never know.
Thank you for telling our children you believe in them and that they can achieve anything. Your encouragement keeps them going.
Thank you for being gentle with the children when they need it and being stern when they need that too.
Thank you for seeing our children as more than a test score.
Thank you for advocating for those children who need your help and don’t have an adult in their life doing the right thing.
Thank you for starting each day with a smile and treating it as a fresh start regardless of what happened yesterday.
Thank you for the parent emails, notes in the agenda and conferences. You realize that education must be a collaboration between the school and parent and I know you can’t do it all alone.
Thank you for keeping our children safe. We live in a scary world and entrust you each day with the safety of the most important part of our life, our children, and I realize that’s a big weight to carry.
Thank you for loving my child and all the children you will encounter through the years, even the challenging ones. I know you often refer to your class as “your kids” and that you have a special place for each of them in your heart.
Thank you for all the things you do, there is more than could ever be written in a short passage. As it’s been said, “Teachers create all other professions.” On the hard days, remember that even when it may not seem like it, your value is seen and you are deeply appreciated by so many. Very few professions can say that they have the ability to change the lives of others, but you do that daily. You shape the future and today and every day I am thankful for you, teacher.
