May 6-10: National Teacher Appreciation Week
Just
Icing on the Cake
By
Hally Franz
Teachers deserve our appreciation. There are many ways my
daughter’s school commemorates National Teacher Appreciation Week, held this
year May 6-10. Parents serve themed, private, and, most importantly, long
lunches to teachers and staff, while monitoring classrooms during these
respites. Students bring in flowers to build a vibrant and bountiful spring
bouquet. Kids supply treat bags with candy bars and microwave popcorn to
satisfy afternoon blood sugar dips. You can brainstorm your own ways to show
teachers appreciation this year.
It’s wonderful to close the school year with a celebration
of teachers and their hard work, but perhaps we should view this week of
pampering as icing on the cake, a final thank you that follows a year of
appreciation and support for those educating our children each day. Here are
some ways parents can show we value teachers throughout the school year.
Partner
with Your Child’s Teacher
Fifty years ago, parents just naturally supported teachers.
Children understood that parents held the same expectations for classroom
behavior and academic performance as the teacher; there was solidarity between the
two. When parents provide that support, it means a lot to a teacher, and it
benefits kids. Not only do children clearly know what’s acceptable, they learn
to respect authority figures.
Take the
Initiative on Communication
We may have unrealistic expectations regarding
communications from teachers. Fortunately, technology in many school districts
makes it convenient to check grades, attendance and lunch accounts as often as
we like. However, it may be more difficult to get that personal conversation or
note from a teacher, especially at the secondary level. With the job of
teachers becoming more difficult each year due to larger class sizes and/or
increased state mandates, we should take time to address concerns or check-in
on things ourselves. That lets the teacher know we’re attentive and, at the
same time, we recognize the demands teachers face.
Words of
Thanks Throughout the Year
When school programs or events occur during the year,
teachers appreciate not only our attendance, but also our thanks for the extra
time they’ve spent to spotlight our children. A bit of praise or a heartfelt
compliment means a lot to these hard-working professionals.
Final
Assessment
Most teachers are genuinely devoted to their students and
the goal of educating. If we find that to be so, let’s give them our
appreciation all year long, knowing that this special week in May will be yet
another rewarding moment in a year of a job well done!
About the
Author:
Hally Franz writes about her observations on
family, faith, parenting and people. A former high school guidance counselor
turned stay-at-home mom, Hally is a 4-H leader, and she serves as her church
secretary and a Bible class teacher. She enjoys traveling with family and
monthly book club meetings with pals.
