I have written several blogs about how teachers today are under appreciated. I think teachers have one of the hardest and most thankless jobs in our society. Teachers do work of great social value and yet they are paid far less than people in the private sector who sell useless objects or who have desk jobs at think tanks thinking about how to reform the schools.
This comment by a teacher is a good reminder of why everyone who wants to live in a decent society should immediately find a teacher and say “thank you for what you do. Thank you for what you do every day. I can’t do what you do and I am in awe of your work for our children.”
| Politicians never discuss all that teachers do that goes above and beyond the confines of our jobs. I have and I know of others who have bought clothes, combed hair, paid for field trips, bought school supplies, bought Christmas gifts, come in early and stayed late just so a child could have a chance at a successful life. It’s so easy for presidents and other politicians to judge as they stand on their pedestals far removed from the real world of education. I challenge them to come to my school in an urban, low socio-economic area, where students often don’t get love and support until they arrive at school. Teachers are in a battle every day and it seems that each new year our enemies seem to grow and get stronger. All I ever wanted to do was teach and tell me how many politicians can say the same, or do what we do every day? Not many would or could take students who are often hopeless and give them hope and dare them to dream. Until those who judge teach a mile in our shoes, they should cease and desist blaming people who are mere mortals working to achieve against herculean sized obstacles! A teacher made you who you are today and it’s funny how that message never seems to be in a political speech! Thank a teacher each and every day that you are able to pass a sign and read it! |
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I am not a teacher, but I have so much appreciation for all that they do. One way I sometimes describe teaching is that it’s like giving high stakes presentations – a different one each day – to your investors all day every day, with a schedule you don’t control and no snacks. You can’t go to the bathroom except at a couple of scheduled breaks and you can’t start preparing tomorrow’s power point until 4 pm.
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Check out this great thank a teacher video that gives thanks to teachers for all of their hard work and dedication. Make sure to pass it along to a teacher that has inspired you.
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My son did thank his teachers and here is his published essay:
http://www.pomeradonews.com/2012/05/11/viewpoint-a-celebration-of-our-teachers/
And here is a beautiful quote we borrowed:
“Every day here in America, teachers with patience and creativity are opening doors for students to reach deep within themselves to learn more, to solve problems, to grow and to nurture their dreams, and that we do this work with conviction — that’s not unusual. It isn’t even rare. It happens in America’s classrooms every day and I need you to know that.”
— Rebecca Mieliwocki, 2012 National Teacher of the Year.
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Diane- Thank you for the call to action. Here is my response: http://dinahconsuegra.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/thank-you-3/
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Thanks for sharing this teacher’s comment. I continue to be amazed at the continued attacks on teachers and their right to collective bargaining.
Also, I want to share the most memorable “thank you” experience from my first year as a second career teacher. It is described in my post titled “Choked Up in Calculus Class” at http://mathequality.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/choked-up-in-calculus-class/
Thank you to all of my teachers over the past five decades of my life. I would not be who I am today without their efforts to share their knowledge, insights, understanding, perspectives, etc. with their students. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help those who aspire to learn, and those who do not realize they need to learn, in order to improve the lives of all students who enter my classroom over time.
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