Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
Teachers are Changing the World - One Student at a Time
PTA.org reminds us that “The pandemic has ushered in a new way of teaching and learning. From in-person to virtual to a hybrid learning environment (some all in one school year!), our students have faced challenging, yet innovative times in their learning and development - and teachers have been at the heart of it all! It's time to show them our love and appreciation so let’s give the teachers in our lives a special thanks for all that they do during Teacher Appreciation Week. That’s because Teaching is a Work of Heart!”
The first full week of May is designated as National Teacher Appreciation Week by the National PTA and the NEA (National Education Association). This year, it is Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12, 2023. Teacher Appreciation Day is Tuesday, May 9. We can thank Eleanor Roosevelt for initiating National Teacher Appreciation Week in 1953. Since 1984, the National PTA (Parent Teacher Association) has selected a full week to honor the teachers who skillfully and wholeheartedly “use their passion, skills, hard work, and dedication to educating our children.”
So, how do your honor your teacher? Skiptomylou.org has plenty of gift ideas for teachers and sweet tags to attach to pencils, snacks, etc. Here are a few: handwrite a note of thanks or appreciation to your teacher. A gift card from any coffee or sweets shop for a quick morning pick-me-up. Here’s an oldie: take your teacher an apple or a favorite treat or snack. Decorate the classroom door with hearts or a banner: “class of the coolest teacher,” etc.
Per niche.com, “Ellicottville Central School District is an above average, public school district located in Ellicottville, NY. It has 619 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1...” District with the best teachers in Cattaraugus County - #2 of 13.
Those excellent ratings happen because of many things - administration, grounds, buildings, programs, support persons, parental involvement, etc., but face it, teachers are the backbone of the schools. If we don’t have dedicated teachers who care deeply about our kids, we will rate at the bottom of the pile.
I moved to Ellicottville in 1974 because I had three bright kids who needed a solid education and of them, two who needed a whole lot of guidance. ECS rated exceptionally high, so I felt confident moving here. They did not disappoint. The teachers got to know them, took the time to understand their needs and lifted them through the hurdles they encountered. Teachers like Judy Brown, Carl Calarco, Nancy Rogan, Mr. Takagi, Mark Ward, Mr. Hall, etc. left their imprints on my kids, as today’s teachers do on yours, at ECS or elsewhere. Today’s generation is as devoted as they were almost fifty years ago, as they themselves must deal with new phenomena - cell phones, online bullying, the threat of shootings, test scores, etc. It’s a new and different world, yet these teachers continue to show up, to teach from their hearts, to use their own funds for supplies, to work through holidays and nights and, judging from the low response I received (did not receive) for these teachers to toot their own horns, they are more interested in doing their jobs than talking about themselves.
One teacher, I believe, spoke for all of them when she wrote: “The most rewarding part of my job is to help our students learn academically as well as socially so they can become productive members of our community. Having a former student seek me out to give me a hug or a high five is priceless.”
My eldest, who now teaches/coaches as a second career, said this: “Why teach? To impact society positively and empower kids to effect change. How do I know when I am getting across? When they focus on an assignment after procrastination and slay it. Don't like? Administrative paperwork. Like most? Learning from the kids as much as they learn from me.”
Judy Brown, now retired after many years of teaching summed it up best. “I just love teaching.”
There’s that heart thing I mentioned.
Now, it’s your turn to love them back. Plan to do something very special for them on May 9 and throughout Teacher Recognition Week. Because they truly deserve it!