By: Casey Hamilton
Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
-William Arthur Ward
During my 16 years in public education, I was privileged to be a part of numerous Teacher Appreciation weeks that were sponsored by the schools where I taught and their PTA’s (Parent Teacher Associations). Parents and administrators would work hard to find local businesses who would offer free goodies, massages, and of course, the ultimate token of teacher appreciation–FOOD! I was never sure why food became associated with the notion of appreciation, but I certainly liked it. I often wondered where the idea of dedicating an entire week in May to show appreciation for teachers originated, so I decided to do a little research.
According to Huffingtonpost.com, the move for appreciation of educators may have begun during World War II and was followed by a push from Eleanor Roosevelt to make it more of an annual tradition. In 1980, Congress declared a National Teacher Day, and the PTA followed in 1985 by dedicating the first week in May as Teacher Appreciation Week. It has since been an annual tradition.
As a parent, I am often baffled by how best to show my appreciation for my children’s teachers. Even in elementary school, they have multiple teachers, all deserving of sincere gratitude. I know that these teachers spend countless hours after school tutoring, grading, conferencing, and planning. Then what doesn’t get completed at school gets dragged home, often in huge teacher tote bags, of which they have a dozen or more (probably given as Teacher Appreciation gifts). So what can I do to express to them how thankful I am for their dedication to my child’s success? Well, I talked to some local teachers to get some ideas. And wouldn’t you believe it? Their answers showed the same unselfishness that they demonstrate on a daily basis.
For Kelly Fuqua, a 6th grade science teacher at College View Middle School, any day she sees parent volunteers taking time out of their day to run copies or help teachers in any way feels like Teacher Appreciation Day to her. Her preference for any type of gift would be a donation to the school’s Youth Resource Center, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or any other community organization that helps others.
Krista Thompson, a 1st grade teacher at Sutton Elementary School, says “the most memorable ways I have been shown appreciation are personal notes and cards, parents volunteering in the classroom, books donated to the classroom and gift certificates for school supplies.” To her, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing her students meet personal goals and feel successful.
Jennifer Ball, a Kindergarten teacher at Deer Park Elementary School, loves the kind letters and cards she has received over the years from students and parents as well as pictures students have drawn for her. She even has some of them framed and displayed in her classroom. Jennifer finds her biggest reward in seeing her students work really hard to learn something and their faces lighting up with excitement and joy when they finally understand it.
“I feel appreciated anytime a student expresses that they ‘feel better off for having had my class,’” states Jennifer Busse, a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher at Owensboro High School. To Jennifer, gifts aren’t necessary, but she does treasure a flower-shaped pack of Post-It notes that she received for Christmas. “I should buy stock in Post-Its,” she says.
Everyone wants to know that they are making a difference in some way, and when a student or parent points out the impact you have had on their lives, it makes all the countless hours and money spent from your own pocket well worth it! Although I did not choose to be an educator for adoration and appreciation from the masses, any kind words of gratitude, whether expressed in a note, picture or in person, are always a welcome reward.
With that being said, I would like to thank all of the teachers, assistants, and administration at both Deer Park Elementary School and College View Middle School for the tremendous positive impact they have made in my children’s lives. Because of all of you, they will continue to grow to be intelligent, well-rounded, polite, caring citizens, and for that I am extremely grateful!
For additional resources or help with finding the perfect way to express your appreciation to the teachers in your children’s lives, visit PTA.org and search “Teacher Appreciation Week.”