As the child of two retired teachers, a wife of an elementary school principal, and a former classroom teacher myself, I am passionate about public education and am an advocate for all teachers, no matter the sector.
This is Teacher Appreciation Week and though it’s nice to thank teachers this week and give them a gift, we need to appreciate them always. There are many reasons to appreciate teachers, but these five really stand out to me.
1) Jacks of All Trades: A teaching license allows a person to teach elementary education or middle school science or high school math, but teachers do much more than teach content. Teachers are also role models, coaches, nurses, therapists, and mentors. In a single day, along with teaching, a teacher will calm a crying child, help a teenager make a difficult decision, or coach a team to a championship. Those who truly know what it means to teach, know that the word “teacher” involves so much more than merely teaching about a subject.
2). Passion Without Adequate Pay: According to the National Educator Association (NEA) website, the national average starting salary for teachers is $30, 377. Computer programmers start at $43, 635. Public accounting professionals start at $44, 668. Registered nurses start at $45, 570. Further, the gap gets wider the more years a teacher puts in. Annual pay for teachers has fallen significantly over the past 60 years when compared to the pay of other workers with college degrees. Nationwide, the average earnings of workers with four-year degrees are 50% higher than the average earnings of a teacher. Teachers obviously don’t teach for the money, and that alone says a lot.
3). Never-ending Workday: Folks who have never taught or who are not close with a teacher sometimes think a teacher’s workday runs from 8:00-3:30. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Many teachers have morning duties that begin by 7:15 am. Others drive buses and many come early to work with students. Very few, if any, teachers I know are out the door right at 3:30. Many teachers coach, tutor after school, drive buses, or merely stay late to prepare for the next day. Aside from the actual workday itself, most teachers work after their own kids go to bed, grading and planning, and many cars sprinkle school parking lots on weekends and holidays. Further still, along with physical work hours, teachers minds are never far from their classrooms. It may be an awesome activity they can’t quite nail down or a concern over a student’s change in behavior; nevertheless, a teacher’s mind is always active.
4). No Summers Off: Sometimes when I hear folks say, “Well, teachers have the entire summer off, so it can’t be that bad,” I have to take deep, yoga breaths to not get frustrated with the person. Students have summers off, but teachers do not. Many teachers work second jobs during the summer, often working with kids in another capacity. All teachers work and plan during the summer months, often attending trainings during the summer. Whether at school or at home, all teachers spend the summer analyzing the previous school year and planning for the next school year.
5). Teachers Love Kids: John C. Maxwell once said, “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Good teachers care about kids and teachers who care about kids see results. I remember my own experiences as a student. When I knew a teacher cared about and believed in me, I would do anything for that person. Nothing has changed in that regard. Regardless of technology, innovative practice, solar powered schools, or smaller class sizes, the heart of the classroom is the teacher. And when that heart cares about students, magic happens.
Thank you, teachers!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I volunteer in both of my boys classrooms and I see how underpaid & under appreciated they are first hand. It’s a tough job for sure.
krystal says
Passion without adequate pay is for serious. Thanks for this post. Teachers need more credit!
Jessica says
I don’t know where I would be without the two amazing teachers in my daughter’s life. They have taught her so much and helped her grow this past year like never before. I am doing everything I can this week to show how much I appreciate them and their kindness.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
Teachers do so much for us and our children. And they are SO underpaid.
Savannah says
Great post!! Great teachers are truly something special!
sweettmakes3 says
Teachers are so underappreciated. I couldn’t do their job that’s for sure.
aimee fauci says
I have always appreciated my girl’s teachers… well, at least most of them.. some have ‘checked out’ which makes it hard to appreciate them.. BUT most are just fabulous.. They are truly seconds moms.
Shell says
I love your list! I have to take those deep breaths about summers off and the hours, too. A teacher’s day is very long.
Louida says
Teachers are just not paid enough. They deserve the very best! I wish I could volunteer at my daughter’s school but my work schedule doesn’t allow me to.
omgitschelsea says
Teachers really do so much! I certainly think they should be paid more.
Mommy2Jam says
I love my sons teachers they are truly the best and we really should not just appreciate them for just one week.
gaynycdad says
I agrre, most teachers deserve to be celebrated. Although there were 2 we had in the last 6 years that should not be allowed near children of any age, the other 4 should be congratulated!
thanks,
Mitch
sippycupmom says
I love this! Such true words!
casavilorainteriors says
teachers do deserve appreciation to encourage them. That job can burn them out sometimes. After all they take care of our kids
Liz Mays says
They really do work so hard. And sometimes parents make their job even harder, I’ve seen that!
Marketa says
My sister-in-law is a kindergarten teacher. It’s a lot of work, but she loves her job. It’s about passion, and passionate teachers make the bets teachers!
karenssunnysoirees says
This is such a great post! My mom is a teacher and I always feel it’s such an under appreciated job.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
my Mom is a retired teacher. It’s such an important job and so frequently doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick says
A good teacher should be shown appreciation. It’s a labor of love, the job really doesn’t pay much and makes you deal with many things.
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says
Teachers definitely have Super Hero powers, with very little pay. It’s sad. We are crazy over our son’s teacher. She’s just awesome!
Carly Bellard says
Being the daughter of a teacher, I have seen first hand how a teacher brings home their work- EVERYDAY! If it isn’t paperwork, they bring home concerns about their students. Thank your teachers!!!
Becka says
People don’t appreciate the good teachers nearly as much as they should .
Jaime says
Being married to a teacher/educator I can totally relate to the statements above. I definitely have a deeper appreciation for teachers. (Also, I never started in the $40k when I was a programmer. I don’t know where these people get their numbers!) 🙂
melinda says
I need to do more to show our appreciation throughout the year. thanks for the tips
Krissy Higgins (@Krissy_r) says
Teachers definitely deserve more credit then they get – especially now with the dangers that come with teaching at a school!
Rosey says
I’ve seen teachers have their summers cut short with very little notice too (can you imagine how hard that is you’ve already put vacation plans in place???). Loving the Teacher Appreciation week, it’s very well deserved for many reasons.
Tracey Tabone says
Teachers work so hard and deserve a lot more credit! They work hard and have such passion for their jobs and students.
Virginia Higgins says
Teachers do work hard. We homeschool, and it gives me a new appreciation for classroom teachers, too.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Most teachers have a great passion for the skill of being a great teacher.
StacieinAtlanta says
I love my kids teachers. We always make a point to take care of them.
Dina Demarest (@dinade) says
teachers have the hardest job. They deserve so much more then they are paid.
Autumn says
My dad was a teacher, and I tried it for a little while (and realized very quickly that I was not cut out for that role!) Teachers are very under-appreciated!
Felicia says
I adore this post! All of it rings true for me.
Christie says
YES, yes yes! This is so true on so many levels. Teachers are amazing!
Ashley says
I used to cringe too when folks whined about teachers getting summers off. I know that teachers never really stop working!
amittenfull says
LOVE this! Definitely great reasons to celebrate and honor teachers– all the time! My Mother was a teacher and I saw how she gave her self to her students. Even sometimes before us! Thank you for this post and reminder!
Marina says
I so agree! They’re not appreciated at all. My kids have been blessed with the best teachers ever and we make it a point to thank them as often as we can.