Tips on Tuesday: Teacher Appreciation

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up. I discovered in my research that the designated week in the US is the first week of May. However, daring to be different, many midwest states celebrate in March instead. Perhaps it's because by now, we're all stir crazy from the snow and we need to make sure our teachers don't lose their minds before May. (That's my theory, you can come up with one that seems more 'correct'...mine aims at the truth of the matter!)

Since ours is arriving next week, I thought I'd share some fantastic things I've found to honor the teachers my children have, have had in the past and will have. It is hard for me to send my babies to preschool and kindergarten and beyond. I have to give their care and mental growth over to someone else. We've been blessed to always have teachers of excellence so I do better now on the first day of school.

Recently, I ran across this article that sums up teaching. I hope you enjoy it, too.

The Dinner Party
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s
a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become
a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To corroborate, he said to another guest: You're a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do
you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied:
"You want to know what I make?
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like the Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do his or her very best.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them write.
I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English.
I elevate them to experience music and art and the joy in performance, so their lives are rich, full of kindness and culture, and they take pride in themselves and their accomplishments.
I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart
...And if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no
attention.

You want to know what I make?
I make a difference."

She turns to the CEO and asks, "What do you make?"

To all of my children's teachers from the past, the present and the future--

Thank You!