Mrs. Cook. & Mrs. Flanagan. Mrs. Weatherly (Ross). & Mrs. Wilken. Mrs. Lawson. Mrs. Phipps. & Miss Workman. And that's just the first seven years. As we head into the back to school season it's impossible for me to not reminisce on my own time spent in various classrooms of my childhood. I spent 13 years at Marionville R-9 and while I certainly gained knowledge of multiplication facts, how to use prepositions, and the plant life cycle it was the life skills I learned that are still with me today. It was respect for myself and others, discipline to work hard, desire to explore the WHY, the NEED to be generous with my time and talents, the importance of kindness.
Teacher Appreciation Week doesn't officially come around until May, at the end of each school year, but I would argue that our appreciation needs to begin now. Our teachers need our support. They need us to send notes of encouragement through the year. They need us to offer our financial resources when possible to fulfill an Amazon Wish List. They need us to partner with them to encourage learning both at home AND in the classroom. Most of all, they simply need us to ask...How can we help? How can we support you? How can we partner with you?
I think it's safe to say that we are ALL close to a teacher. Whether it's our own children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews or maybe a close friend is heading back to school for her 25th year of teaching, we all know and love someone who is preparing to head back to the classroom in a few short weeks. These teachers are on the front lines of helping to raise the next generation of good humans, spending nearly 1200 hours a year influencing our kids. Don't wait to show them our appreciation, they need it now more than ever.
