Thursday, May 5, 2011

Teachers

It's Teacher Appreciation Week--and I think that's across the country, not just here in our county.  And while I love this week, I have to say that one day or one week is not enough to show teachers our appreciation.  I admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for teachers--funny thing, right?  Not only do I personally come from a teaching background, but my Mother-in-Law & 2 Sisters-in-Law are both teachers as well.  Musicians & teachers--what can I say?  We have a passion and it's not for money obviously!!

Anyway, during this week each year my girls' elementary school does various things for the teachers, including having the classes make a booklet for their teacher, goody bags full of treats & a luncheon mid week which is completely provided by parent volunteers.  Now, this is also the exact elementary school I taught at for two years before I came home full time & I admit that I don't remember much about Teacher Appreciation Week standing out in my memory.  But I've had a different take on the "appreciation" of a teacher now that I'm on the other side.  While I'm not in charge of anything, I make a point to be "on call" if the volunteer coordinator needs a fill in--whether it's to sit at the grocery store booth for a couple hours on a Saturday or pick up a couple bottles of salad dressing.  I also am "on call" for the teachers.  It made my heart smile this year when Jackie's Kindergarten teacher said she was disappointed she didn't have Josie on her class list because she loves having ME as a parent!

So, here's the thing.  I made a lasagna Jackie's first 2 years of school for the luncheon.  And that's a from-scratch-lasagna that I only make on special occasions for my family & only if you've been hospitalized if you're a friend.  This year, because of the lack of "main dish" offers, I went ahead and made two.  My kids couldn't believe they didn't get to eat one of them.  My husband only allowed it to happen because I promised him one on this birthday next week!  But if making 2 lasagnas shows my appreciation to my kids' teachers & support staff, then I'll do it.  I'll supply the whole darn meal, in fact.  I am trusting these people with the care of my own flesh-and-blood children for 7 hours a day/5 days a week!

Teachers are amazing people.  I loved loved loved my job as a teacher.  Watching little people learn something new for the first time & seeing their eyes light up is magical.  The only thing I love more than teaching is being able to be my own boss so I can have time flexibility for my family because they come first.  But teaching is very rewarding.  And if it weren't, no one would teach.  Three months off in the summer?  HA!  Once you add on snow days & in service days & extra summer workshop days & classroom work days, teachers get about 6-8 weeks off, NOT 3 months.  And that's only if they're not taking 3 college classes working on their Master's Degree during the summer months to fulfill state requirements.  Daily hours 8-3?  HA!  Not only are those the hardest 7 hours of the day, but they're also only the beginning.  My school bag used to get so heavy with the stuff I carried to & from work that I had to sometimes leave it in the car & bring in one thing at a time. If they're a band director, like so many of my friends & family, then there's many after school & weekend activities to be planned & attended.   Big money?  Double HA!  Not only are the paychecks small, but much of that personal paycheck goes right back into the classroom.  Teachers have the biggest hearts out there.  They are truly special people.

So, I ask that if you have a child who has a teacher, that you do something special this week to say thank you.  Next time you're at the store, grab a box of pencils or an extra box of tissue & just send it to school in your child's backpack.  That's what your child's teacher does...for your child.

TEACHERS--I thank you!  From the bottom of my heart I know that you have a tough job & I have worked with some of the most incredible teachers there are!  Thank you for all you do--SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!!!!

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