Thank You, Educators!
CategoriesAlthough educators like you deserve to be honored and celebrated every single day of the year, the first week of May is designated as Teacher Appreciation Week. Here at TCL, we recognize and appreciate the many roles you play in the lives of students and want to express our gratitude.
The 2019/20 school year is one we will never forget. So much has changed in our world over the past several weeks. However, the ongoing dedication, thoughtfulness, and the inspiration of so many educators continue to serve as the strong anchors students and families rely on.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication.
My teachers are always available to answer questions and to help me.
Olivia – Freshman, Virginia
Even though school buildings abruptly closed a few weeks ago, we know that you are busier than ever planning and teaching online lessons while maintaining relationships with students virtually and in other creative ways.
Teachers go above and beyond all the time – sometimes those efforts even capture national attention. When middle school math teacher, Mr. Waba, noticed his student, Rylee, struggling with a virtual algebra lesson, he showed up on her front porch with a whiteboard and marker in hand to give her a 1:1 lesson while she listened and watched through her screen door – maintaining social distancing guidelines. Rylee’s dad, James Anderson, expressed his appreciation of Mr. Waba with a Twitter post that went viral. Anderson shared, “The picture just shows the length that which teachers will go to help their students at any cost during these times.” (The full story is available to read here.)
Photo Credit: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/us/coronavirus-math-lesson-teacher-trnd/index.html
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
What I like most about my teacher is her kindness, she helps me, and she explains things in many ways to help us understand.
Kathryn - 3rd Grade, Illinois
My son’s preschool teacher, Ms. Maggie, recently emailed parents a list with links to the class’s favorite music videos. I didn’t realize how special that list was until I saw my son’s eyes light up in recognition of the first song I played for him. (He misses his teacher and his friends at school very much.) Ms. Maggie also wrote the sweetest, most thoughtful note to my son – just look at the details and personalization she included (she has 18 students and two kids of her own at home)!
Thank you for your inspiration.
I like when my teachers tell personal stories about their own kids and what they like to do outside of school.
Olivia – 8th Grade, Minnesota
Being asked to do more with less is sadly a common practice for teachers in many districts with shoestring budgets. However, teachers tend to rise to the occasion and do whatever it takes to inspire students.
In lieu of acrylic paints and modeling clay, New York City teacher, Larry Minetti, used household materials and objects such as peanut butter, salad dressing, and milk cartons to recreate Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night”. His students were inspired to create their own works of art using whatever they had available while sheltering in place. Minetti shared, “My students learned that they can be creative from scratch and express themselves through various items that are not considered “normal” for producing art.” What a valuable life lesson on flexibility and resourcefulness.
While teachers go the extra mile for students every day, Rik Zortman - the “Human Etch A Sketch” – was inspired to go an extra 8.31 miles in honor of teachers. Check out his route on a recent run through the streets of Iowa.
Here at TCL, we think you’re amazing, and we can’t thank you enough for the ongoing dedication you give, the kindness and thoughtfulness you show, and the inspiration you provide to students and families each and every day. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.
P.S. Don’t forget to show yourself some appreciation by prioritizing self-care while working from home. This article provides simple, yet valuable ideas to help boost your physical, mental, and social well-being.