Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! This time of year, is truly special to me. For 7 years, I worked as a classroom teacher. It was the hardest job I ever loved. Supporting my students academically, contributing to a positive school environment, and communicating with families and community members all made teaching such a wonderful professional experience. In my role as a Design Principal at Education Elements, I no longer work in the classroom, but I use the skills to support school leaders and districts.
As the school year ends, it is important to honor the hardworking teachers who commit their lives to shaping future generations. Teachers are the backbone of our society. They encourage excellence and motivate strong habits. We’ve all been affected by a teacher who helped shape the trajectory of our lives. The teacher who encouraged us to pursue that college major, helped us study for a test, or join a specific team all deserve recognition. They commit time, effort, and resources that are often hidden, yet have a profound impact on their practice. The recent COVID pandemic made teaching even more challenging, and yet teachers rose to the challenge. Teachers did this all the while making a national average of $56,483.
So how do teachers rise to the challenge every day? What might a typical day look like? Seeing it all laid out may give you even more appreciation for all that teachers do. Here’s a list of what a day in my life might look like as a middle school teacher:
Outside of school hours (after 6:00pm and on weekends)
This list by no means represents all teachers. However, it paints the picture of how teachers rise to the challenge to support their students and school community. Noticeably missing are the times teachers take to eat, drink water, and go to the bathroom. It is not uncommon for a teacher to go the day without drinking water or eating a proper lunch. Teachers often sacrifice their personal needs for their students. Someone once said, “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” - Unknown. Teachers deserve more than a week. They deserve to be celebrated every day. This week, but every day after, find a teacher and thank them. You can thank them with your kind words or gestures: a gift card, food, or a mug, to name a few ideas.