In Honor of Teachers

There are not too many jobs around that form the basis for all other jobs on the planet. However, in order to have any job, we must be taught how to do it. These people who teach us how to do it are being honored this week - our teachers. Now, our teachers can be the people who instructed us and educated us in front of a classroom and shared lessons about history, math, reading and science. However, our teachers were often much more than content specialists. Our teachers also gave us guidance when we needed to know how to get somewhere, somehow. Our teachers gave us support when we stumbled along the way, chastened us if we came up short and congratulated us when we achieved our goals.  What about the persons who taught us about loyalty and friendship? These same teachers offered us life lessons when needed.  And jokes, some of my teachers told the best and the corniest jokes! Wow. I don't remember all of my teachers, sadly some of them didn't leave an impression worth remembering. But those who I do remember will carry me forward, and have probably made me the educator that I am today. Thank you teachers, your efforts carry on.

Here is a video that I would like to share in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. It is from the Teaching Channel, an excellent source for teacher materials, resources and videos.



(Note: please stop the video as soon as the speaker is finished. Thanks)

   


     Enjoy,
  

Thank You, Teachers

To my friends,

Thank you for coming to work today. You could have stayed home, you could have done something else or you could have gone anywhere else. However, you came here, and our children will have a better tomorrow because of your dedication today.

Several years ago when I was a teacher in the classroom, I would often get to school really early in the morning. As I entered my classroom, I would often see the building engineer- sweeping, dusting, cleaning and preparing the hallways for the new day. I would say “Good Morning,” and he would simply respond, “Good morning, and thanks for coming in today.” Those simple words from an unassuming worker in our building kept me going more days than I want to remember. That simple thank you for doing what I thought was my job, became recognition for my dedication to this work. It was so gratifying to be appreciated for doing so much for what I perceived was so little.  When he told me “thank you” was when I realized that my payment was not the chump change in my biweekly check –­­ my payment was the satisfaction of making a difference in the future of our planet – one child at a time.

One of my friends, and one of your co-workers reminded me of that recently. She told me that a little “thank you” would have meant so much during those early teaching days. You know, those cold mornings when you just wanted to turn over and go back to sleep, or when the long days and the boorish students seemed to really weigh you down.  Just a simple acknowledgement that you were trying to make a difference, well, that would have made a difference.  You know, that teacher was right, and although I can’t go back to yesterday, I sure can say “Thank you” today.

Thank you for coming to school today, and every day – and thanks for working so hard with our children and making such a difference in their lives.


           
     Your friend,