To Be Appreciated...

Like many teachers, I have some mixed feelings about Teacher Appreciation Week. I wouldn't want to do away with it, but there's something awkward about the fact that we need this week as badly as we do. At the same time, we do not choose this work for recognition. When we get it, sometimes we doubt its sincerity, and other times we just don't know how to receive the acknowledgement. Often the messages of appreciation that come to us in a way we understand and feel best about are from students.

In my first years teaching, my school held an assembly in the auditorium during Teacher Appreciation Week, and presented each teacher with a plaque or gift of some sort in front of the school.  I must say it was nervewracking. It was a large school and each of us was called by name into the spotlight of the whole school community, while the audience applauded.  

I remember the first time I walked up there to receive my recognition, and I got to hear the full auditorium of kids clapping for me.  And my students didn't just clap; they cheered loudly.  I had no idea how warm that would make me feel.  As a beginning teacher, I felt legitimized, like they were telling me I was in the right place. 

This year, my school parent organization showered us with a breakfast, which certainly put a big smile on everyone's faces at 7:45 in the morning... later in the week I received one of the nicest gifts of appreciation I've ever gotten.  It was a letter from a student, shared to me on a Google Doc.  

I was expecting a few kind words garnished with some adolescent-style emoticons. What I got totally stunned me!  It was an essay the student had written about me as a teacher!  It began with a nice hook and was well-structured.  It included detailed evidence in the form of properly punctuated quotes from other students about why they liked my teaching and the things they learned in my class.  I was really touched by the thoughtfulness and creativity of the gift, which showed appreciation for my actual teaching in both form and content.  Really, what more could an English teacher ask for?  

(hmm... maybe revisions?  Just joking; so far I have held back the urge to write comments!)

 

[image credit: redstarresume.wordpress.com] 

Comments

[Tom Roth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T8ovblvQM0

[Bill Ferriter]

You know, Pal: As awkward as a formal teacher appreciation week is -- and as much as I value small acts of kindness from my students more than anything official my school has ever done for me -- I really DO think that we still need one.

It's the one time in the year when people aren't actively trying to break education to pieces.

And it's a reminder to the community that when they hear politicians and #eduhacks belittling educators, that they're talking about US -- real people who are giving everything to their children in return for almost nothing.

It's funny how people are willing to tear apart education while simultaneously defending the teachers of their own kids.

Thanks for making me think tonight -- hope you're well!

Bill

[Heather Putio]

Teacher Appreciation week, day or moment is as valuable as giving praise to our students. Teaching can be a lonely profession and setting aside time to acknowledge the efforts of teachers is an opportunity to recharge their weary spirits and provide excellent modelling for our students. It provides the forum to participate in education in a positive way. It encourages everyone to set aside the critical thinking which often focusses on what is wrong and redirects the search to highlighting what is right, effective and influential in a positive way. Most often what we identify when searching for the positive is an individual or an educational leader who is promoting positive work in their classroom, school and community of learning. It is valuable to celebrate the contributions of these individuals to education. They impact and promote change, often much more than policy. The difference they make impacts student's live, immediately and in the future. Long live education week, teacher appreciation weeks, awards and whatever other events makes the world look for the positive.