Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated in the Coronado Unified School District the week of May 1-5, 2017.
When I was in first grade, I had no idea how much my teacher, a sweet, soft-spoken grandmotherly figure named Mrs. Peterson, would influence my life. A girl in my class named Wendy was being picked on because she was the stinky kid in class, the child who wore the same outfit to school every day and never seemed to brush her hair. Wendy was always the last student to finish her work, and periodically some other teacher, who no one knew by name, would come to our classroom, and ask to “borrow” Wendy for a while as she took her to some mysterious closet-looking room down the hall that appeared to be a classroom of sorts.
Of course, as a first grader, I was unaware that Wendy came from a family who was struggling financially. I didn’t know that the teacher who came for Wendy was a special educator. All I knew was that I sensed that Wendy’s heart must have been hurting because other students openly shunned her, and whenever she was brave enough to stop staring at her feet for a second, I tried to offer a smile so she didn’t feel so alone.
One day as Mrs. Peterson walked our class to lunch, she gently pulled me aside as everyone else made their way into the cafeteria. To this day, I’ll never forget how serious she was as she gave me the most important task that I had yet to experience in my six years on Earth. Mrs. Peterson explained to me that when we returned from recess, I would notice my desk would be moved next to Wendy’s. As one of the students who was usually the first to finish my assignments, Mrs. Peterson asked me if I could do her a favor, guiding Wendy as she continued working. Mrs. Peterson was clear that I was not to give Wendy the answers, but instead help her, ensuring she didn’t feel frustrated. Mrs. Peterson told me she just knew in her heart that I was the perfect one for this very important job!
Like most first graders, I was beyond thrilled that my teacher asked me for help! I excitedly agreed, and just as I was about to join my friends so I could eat my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Mrs. Peterson told me I had one more mission. She had heard that some kids didn’t let Wendy sit next to them in the cafeteria and that others taunted Wendy on the playground. Mrs. Peterson got down on my level and looked me straight in the eye as she asked me if I would protect Wendy, who was too timid to stand up for herself. According to Mrs. Peterson, it was now my job to defend Wendy, who towered over me, whenever our teacher wasn’t with the class. She then wrapped her arms around me, thanking me and telling me in advance how proud she was of me because she knew I wouldn’t let her down.
Because of Mrs. Peterson, Wendy was no longer teased or isolated, and she actually began to smile back at me whenever we made eye contact instead of instantly averting her eyes back to her worn out sneakers. Mrs. Peterson didn’t just change Wendy’s life that day; she changed mine too. Because of my first grade teacher, I grew up to become a special educator.
Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated during the month of May, is a time to honor those selfless souls who pour every ounce of themselves into their jobs. While I may no longer be a teacher, a part of my heart will forever be dedicated to the teachers who influenced me, and another place in my heart will always be reserved for the students I was lucky enough to call my own.
Teachers spend hours upon hours preparing lessons, accounting for every precious minute of instructional time, but there are innumerable disruptions, distractions, and issues which can never be anticipated. It’s a teacher’s job to make sure every student learns, but it’s equally important to make sure every student feels welcomed and valued. There’s no empty block in a lesson plan book for dedicating ten minutes out of a lesson to address hurt feelings, yet teachers know true learning can’t effectively take place until students feel safe and secure.
I come from a long line of teachers. My father is a retired business professor, and my mom, who’s still teaching, has been an eighth grade math teacher forever it seems. My older sister teaches kindergarten while my younger sister is a high school history teacher. My brother, the only one of my immediate family who isn’t an educator, groans whenever anyone starts telling teaching stories whenever we’re all together. Teaching isn’t just an 8:00-3:00 job that you stop thinking about when you get home, and even though I’m no longer in the classroom, I still find myself thinking about my former students, sincerely wondering how they’re doing and what they’re up to nowadays.
Whether in the classroom or at home, teachers can never really seem to stop thinking about their students. If you imagine someone changing the channels on the TV every five seconds without end, you can get a brief sense of how busy the minds of teachers are. Here are some of the things you might catch teachers thinking if you could listen to their private thoughts:
“Should I move Joey’s seat closer to the front of the room? I’ve noticed he’s been squinting. I need to ask the nurse to check his vision, and ask his parents if they too have observed him squinting at home.”
“Annie is extra quiet lately, and seems withdrawn. What’s going on? Are there problems at home, or is she possibly being bullied?”
“I sure hope the student who threw up in the middle of the classroom yesterday doesn’t feel too embarrassed. It’s not the first time it’s happened, and unfortunately it probably won’t be the last! I pray no one else catches whatever she has. I need to go wash my hands again.”
“I need to go back to Target next week to pick up extra materials for that science lesson I’ve got planned. There I go spending my paycheck on supplies for the classroom again!”
“The kids at table 2 don’t seem to be getting along. Do I need to rearrange the classroom?”
“I want Tommy to get some extra help in math, but if I send him for small group instruction at this time, he’s going to miss out on writing, which is his favorite subject. When can I squeeze that in?”
“Suzanne’s desk is a mess! No wonder she can’t find anything. Mental note to help her straighten it up tomorrow.”
“Ben hasn’t been acting like himself lately, and his eyes look red. Is he using drugs, or is it allergies perhaps? Who is he hanging out with lately? I need to investigate!”
“I’ve got to write those college recommendations for half my English class this weekend.”
“Is it Friday yet? I need a drink.”
“Our standardized tests begin next week. I need to make sure we have plenty of number 2 pencils sharpened. I also need to remember to remove those posters because they’re not allowed up during testing. What else do I need to do to prepare?”
“Did I reply to the email from Jessie’s mom? I’d better send a copy of it to her dad too since they’re divorced.”
“Am I on pace with the curriculum? Have I done everything needed to get them ready for that assessment?”
“I’ve got to sign up for that new math training that’s going on this summer. I hope it doesn’t interfere with the re-certification course I’m also required to take.”
“Dan’s going to be out sick the rest of the week. I’ve got to put together all the work he’s going to miss. I’m going to have to figure out when he can make up the science test.”
“Scott’s parents need me to fill out that evaluation for his pediatrician, who’s looking into whether he needs to be medicated for his attention and behavior issues. Am I truly doing everything I can for him? Does he actually need medication, or is there something I can do to help him that I haven’t already tried?”
“Parent teacher conferences are coming up. Do I have enough samples of each student’s work? I sure hope none of the parents cry this time. It always breaks my heart. We’re all in this together.”
“I need to go to the bathroom so badly! Is there someone free to watch my class? I just need two minutes!”
“I’ve got to finish grading those essays! I’d better make sure to enter those grades online soon because I know the deadline is approaching, and parents will be checking for sure!”
“With all this homework controversy in the news, am I giving too much homework? Not enough? Should I do away with homework altogether? I know some of the parents would be thrilled, but other parents already tell me I don’t assign enough! I wish there was a happy medium.”
“I need to rethink my behavior management plan. I need a drink. Is it June yet?”
As a military spouse, I’ve taught in five states. I worked as a high school special education teacher for most of my career, and then was a middle school special education teacher for two years before I had my daughter Addie. When Addie was in second grade, I went back to the classroom again, working with first grade students. I’ve had the unique perspective of teaching all age groups, and can tell you with certainty that each set of students required its own kind of patience and understanding from me. No grade level was easy, and I came home from work each day feeling exhausted, yet ready to get up and do it all over again the next morning (most of the time).
As a parent who was once a teacher, I have nothing but respect for my daughter’s teachers. She’s less than two months away from being a fifth grader, and each teacher she’s had has helped shape her view about school, influencing her attitude about education.
Addie’s teachers have all been marvelous, especially her teachers at Village Elementary! Last year she had Ms. Hunsaker as her third grade teacher, and this year she has Ms. Keller. Both this year and last year I noticed that whenever Addie’s been asked who her teacher is, she’s always told how lucky she is to have the best teacher! I can’t help but agree!
When we moved to Coronado in the summer of 2015, Addie, a military brat getting ready to start her fifth school, was so nervous to start third grade. My husband Mike and I met her at the gate after school ended the first day, each of us holding our respective breaths after asking, “How was your first day of school?” Addie paused, and solemnly said, “I didn’t like it.” Then she laughed as she jumped up and down, exclaiming, “I LOVED it!” What a relief!
Right away, Ms. Hunsaker, who’s been teaching for twelve years, made Addie forget that she was the new kid in class. With Ms. Hunsaker’s warm smile and great sense of humor, Addie never voiced a single complaint about being in her class. She adored Ms. Hunsaker, and cried on the last day of school because she was sad that she would no longer be in her class. Even though Addie’s in the fourth grade pod now, whenever she’s sees Ms. Hunsaker, she throws her arms around her, hugging her tightly as if hasn’t seen her in forever. It’s true love! Ms. Hunsaker, who gives the very best hugs in the world, is one of the most dedicated teachers I’ve ever known.
Ms. Keller has also made quite impression on Addie. Whenever we ask Addie, “What was the best part of your day at school today,” she always starts by sharing something funny that Ms. Keller said or did. Addie likes how Ms. Keller is so laid back, and as a parent who’s volunteered in the classroom, I can attest that Ms. Keller is able to command the entire class’s attention just by whispering. I don’t know how she does it, but it’s pretty magical to witness! Ms. Keller relates to students on a personal level that Addie enjoys, and she especially likes how her teacher reads to the class every day in an animated and expressive tone. Ms. Keller has been teaching for 24 years, 22 of which she’s spent at Village Elementary, and I’m amazed by how passionate she still is about working with fourth graders. She’s a saint!
We chose to move to Coronado not only for its beauty, but even more so for the reputation that its schools had. While we don’t know who Addie will call her teacher when the next school year begins, I am beyond confident that her fifth grade teacher will be just as impressive, dedicated, and all around wonderful as both Ms. Hunsaker and Ms. Keller. (No pressure!) Thank you to all of the teachers in Coronado, who continue to give the best of yourselves day in and day out! You truly make a difference, and you are, without a doubt, appreciated more than you’ll ever know!
While there are always suggestions as to what parents and students can give teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, such as flowers, fruit, snacks, classroom supplies, and gift cards, the best way to let teachers know how much they’re appreciated is to write a handwritten note or card. My days in the classroom may have concluded, but I’ve saved and treasured every drawing and memento that I was given over the years. A few sincere words of appreciation go a long way. Go tell the special teachers in your life how much they mean to you!
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated in the Coronado Unified School District the week of May 1-5, 2017.
For Village Elementary, the PTO suggests:
- Monday: Flower
- Tuesday: snacks
- Wednesday: note
- Thursday: supplies
- Friday is a PTO hosted lunch
