My father would drive me and my siblings by the school. I
remember the picket line well; it stretched the length of the short road that
was in front of my elementary school. Familiar faces holding signs and
chanting things I did not understand. Apparently, dad did. He would
rant how selfish and greedy they were, how they should be in the classroom
teaching but nooo they cared more about money, money, money. This would
be a song I heard often sung by my father. He didn't like teachers.
He may have liked the people, but as teachers, he did not. Much of my
father's opinions were heard very loud in our home and often. From
teacher strikes to politics we knew his stance and I took on some of those
opinions myself.
I grew up and had my own
children. Five beautiful smart kiddos filled my home. I didn't rant
about teacher strikes or politics, I figured it was beyond their understanding
just like it was mine and I was learning I had my own contradicting
opinions. We started homeschooling when my now 12 yr. old was
seven. Throughout our homeschooling years, I fell in love with teaching
my kids and through this process I began to appreciate teachers. I only taught
four children five days a week and oh my goodness...so much work! Public
school teacher average 20 plus students each! I learned the sacrifices teachers
make for their children…time, energy, money, emotional investment, just to name
a few.
I cherished our homeschooling
years, last year we returned to school. Beautiful teachers poured into my
children. They sincerely cared for them, tendered their hearts, challenged
my kids, and worked hard to give them a solid education asking for nothing in
return. Through the year I made special efforts to let the teachers know
that I appreciated them. I cried with K
& S's teacher as we closed the first-grade chapter of their
lives. Each year counts, each teacher makes a difference.
I witnessed firsthand their character, which was nothing like the
picture my father attempted to paint. Even when I was a child, I didn’t view
my teachers the same way he did. My husband and I can remember teachers
from almost every year of school…we named them for our kids over supper one
night. I’m not sure they were impressed,
but it says I remember you; you made an impact.
Today we live in the big ol'
state of Texas and my children are in school. Yesterday was their second
day. It’s been quite the culture shock for us, coming from a school of
approximately 300ish students to well over 1,000! From one 6th grade
class to eight! From one language (English) to several (English, Chinese,
Spanish). We love it, we are embracing it, we are excited about it.
AND the teachers are fantastic! I have spent several days in the school
helping with little projects, learning faces and names and I saw firsthand the
efforts being made to make this a wonderful school year.
CONFESSION...I disagree wholeheartedly
with my father. I love teachers! I got giddy with excitement when I
saw #clearthelist on social media. I love to give. I LOVE random
acts of kindness (RAK, see my Pinterest board on the right-hand side). It’s
a genius idea to show the teachers how much we appreciate them. And its
super easy...just ask them for their amazon wish list, click an item, check out
and its sent directly to them. You can even include a note! This is
just one simple, fast, easy way to show your appreciation. Other
ideas...send them personal thank you notes, a Starbucks drink card, smelly
stickers, offer your TIME!
CHALLENGE: Ok, I think I have made it
clear how much I adore teachers. I want to challenge you to a couple things...
-If you believe something from your
childhood that was impressed upon you by your parents or someone else, I
challenge you to look closer, dig deeper and ask yourself if YOU truly believe
it for yourself.
-volunteer in your child's
classroom even if it’s just for an hour and see firsthand their hearts.
-If you can't volunteer, and
even if you can...ask them for their list and bless them. Maybe you can
only afford to buy a pack of pens or a $3.99 book, trust me, they appreciate
it. If you are financially able clear their list...buy it ALL! It’s
fun and it’s worth it! Remember they are educating the future generation
of our nation...it matters!
-Thank your teachers, from your childhood...while you still can.
I know I will miss many but I feel led to mention those who do come to mind...
Mrs. Lowell, Mrs.Bridges, Mrs. Lockhart, Mrs. Riedemann...a few of K&S's teachers.
Elizabeth Boggs, Wendi Cramer, Kristi Aseltine, Rachel Pitcher, Mrs. Pullen, Mrs. Severson, Mrs. Stanley, Mrs. Warfel, Mrs. Donaldson, Mrs. Dixon, Mrs. Wetzel, Mrs. Shaffer...a few of Z&E's teachers.
Mrs. Greathouse, Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Childress, Mrs. Eskew, Mrs. Duzan (both of you!) and Mr. Duzan, Mr. Foreman, Mrs. Hood, Mrs. Meese, Mrs. Eckerty, Mrs. Hawkins, Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Stites, Mr. & Mrs. Tracy, Mr. Sullivan, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Roll, oh goodness, so many, cause I'm old, you know who you are!
(Mrs. Wheeler and I years later, she was my Home Economics teacher in highschool)
You are all appreciated! You are all beautiful people!
