There is no question that the “work” of a teacher has become increasingly complex and difficult over the years.
Teachers are responsible for meeting the needs of 20+ children in a classroom and serving as mentors for families on top of planning lessons, completing administrative tasks and making sure their own children arrive at school on time.
This is just a fraction of all of the duties for which teachers are responsible, not to mention the emotional toll that the work often takes.
And yet, there is something about the work that has an addictive quality — the structured predictability of the calendar year and the “can you believe she just said that?!” moments make for a dynamic workplace environment, to say the very least.
As a Principal I have the privilege of seeing our teachers work hard every single day to meet the needs of students. If I had to sum my job up in one sentence it would be “the job of a principal is to make the lives of teachers as easy as possible.” Good administrative teams do just this-they block and tackle for their teachers so they can focus on teaching and the kids they serve.
However, part of what makes teaching so difficult isn’t simply the extra tasks or the emotional exhaustion, but the fact that the “wins” always come years after. Many of these “wins” teachers never even know about. Oftentimes, we do not know what happens to the first grader who struggles with emotional regulation or the fifth grader who just witnessed the death of a parent.
The system is set up in such a way that their futures often remain a mystery. When you don’t see the fruits of your labor it can be easy to get discouraged and simply exhausted.
"The job of a principal is to make the lives of teachers as easy as possible."
That’s why the most meaningful gifts for teachers aren’t gift cards, apples or treats. The most meaningful gifts are letters of appreciation. While the gift card may be quickly spent or the apple eaten, the letters of appreciation persist. I know many teachers who cherish the notes they receive from students and parents and look at them often. On a hard day, nothing is a better gift than giving a teacher an opportunity to go back and read notes of gratitude.
As you join me in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this year, please take a moment to share a note of gratitude with your child’s teacher. Each day I see our staff work tirelessly to meet the needs of our students and families, so please join me in taking a moment to say “thank you.”
At ICS, we are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week during the first week of May. During the week, we invite ICS families to write encouraging notes and to bring flowers for our teachers.We also are providing meals for teachers throughout the week.
For more information, or to donate something in appreciation of our teachers this week, please email c[email protected].
Thank you for such a beautiful understanding of a teacher’s job. Perfectly portrayed—especially about the deferred compensation, and the value of notes of appreciation. Sixteen years into my retirement from teaching, I STILL read those notes and swoon—remembering those students and parents with fondness, wishing them well—grateful that my lifework mattered.