Appreciation For Teachers

 


Google has pointed out (as it does just about every year) that today is Teacher Appreciation Day.

In my book, a good teacher is worth their weight in gold.  I know there are "not so great" teachers out there.  I had a few.  My son had a few.  Thankfully they were in the minority.  The majority of the teachers that I had were amazing.  So amazing that I remember them clearly, even as I can't remember where I left my keys or other "silly" stuff.  I'm so grateful to those men and women who taught me.  I'm so grateful to those men and women that taught my son.  

My son texted me yesterday.  He had a math test (although it may have been an exam as they are heading into finals week).  Math was never my strong point.  (I still have math-phobia.  Don't put me on the spot and ask me to add two and two together because I will totally stress out and not be able to answer.  You may think I'm kidding, but I'm not.  The "stress" that math puts on my brain makes everything fall apart.)  Math isn't his strong point either.  Nonetheless, my son is a zillion times better when it comes to math than I am.  I'm pretty sure that's because his father is good at math and helped him out.  My son also had some great teachers and tutors over the years that helped tremendously.  (I will say that there was one "tutoring center" which I will not name, that we had him enrolled in and it was a BIG MISTAKE as well as a complete waste of time and money, but...)

Anyway, when he texted me that he had finished his test, I, of course, asked him how he felt about it.  His exact words: “I feel like I did good.  I definitely did my best and double checked my work.  He gives credit for showing work, regardless if it's right.  And believe me, I showed work.  Sometimes in that class I feel like a younger version of myself who wasn't so great at math, but I think I overcame it and did well."

If that isn't a testament to the teachers he had, I don't know what is.

That younger version of himself had the support of Ms. V, Ms. S, and Mrs. R in elementary school.  They not only taught him but gave him confidence.  Then he went on to have some supportive teachers in middle and high school (I even wrote about one here).  And a particular tutor, Ms. H, who always encouraged him.  He got better grades in math than I ever did, but more importantly he grew from the experience.  I don't know the outcome of this latest test, but I'm pretty confident that he will have earned a grade that will make him proud.  (No matter what it is, you know I will be proud.)

He has done very well in college (thus far...let's not jinx anything.)  A lot of that has to do with a level of maturity that he has achieved.  (Did I ever think "my baby" would be so wise?  I might have hoped, but...)  A lot of it has to do with the teachers that have supported him along the way.

I am grateful to the teachers that I had.  (Again, I had some amazing ones and while I still continue to say thank you, that doesn't feel like enough.)  I am even more grateful to the teachers my son has had.  I have seen firsthand all they have done for him.  And I know they didn't just do it for my son, they do it for ALL their students.

While I have anxiety about our world's future, teachers give me hope.  

Thank you.  Thank You.  THANK YOU.


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