What exactly is Teacher Appreciation?
Amidst all the events the month of May brings, one stands out as one of the most important. During the week of May 6th to May 10th, students and school staff spend time appreciating educators.
Teacher Appreciation Week was started by Eleanor Roosevelt and became a nationally recognized event in 1984 according to the Georgia Association of Education (GAE).
The GAE also notes that “In 1953, she (Eleanor Roosevelt) persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim May 7 that year as National Teacher Day. PTA took Roosevelt’s idea and dedicated a whole week to celebrate the accomplishments of educators.”
To this day, Teacher’s Appreciation Week is still nationally celebrated.
Why Teacher Appreciation?
Teachers are an incredibly important part of growing up and learning. Despite working hard and dealing with frustrations at school, there is hardly a push for supporting or thanking teachers for their work.
GALLUP news author Tim Hodges notes, “According to Gallup research, only 25% of teachers strongly agree with the statement, “In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work.”
This statistic was taken recently (April of 2024) and proves that the majority of teachers (based on this survey) feel undervalued or underappreciated.
Taking time to appreciate teachers can really brighten their day, and let them know that they are valued for all they do.
Mrs. Zangre, the art teacher at CSHS, when asked how she felt about how CSHS appreciates their teachers, says, “One of my favorite things is getting letters from students. It makes me feel like I achieved something that year.
And I really like what Mrs. Conrad does every year, I know she makes you guys (students) write them, but they’re well thought out and you have to really craft them, and I really appreciate those.”
Sienna Tang, a student here at CSHS notes, “As a student, I feel teacher appreciation is a really nice way to show our teachers how much we appreciate their efforts and how much they do for us. It’s a nice reminder to them that they’re doing great as a teacher!”
Here at CSHS, Teacher’s Appreciation Week is taken seriously. With the whole week dedicated to teachers, there are plenty of creative ways that students and staff can let teachers know that they are appreciated.
This year, along with gifts and food cooked by culinary (or ordered in), the school hosted a spirit week. All throughout the week, students, staff, and teachers alike could be found dressing up according to the day’s theme.
Mrs. Conrad, a math teacher at CSHS, notes her favorite things about the way Springs celebrates Teacher’s Appreciation:
“I love teacher’s appreciation week. All of the goodies and meals definitely make me happy and excited to come to school. My favorite aspect of celebrating is the theme days of dressing up and the meals that are provided.”
How can you appreciate teachers?
How exactly can one show that they appreciate their teachers?
One way student Arianna Gonzalez recommends showing appreciation is: “Literally just give your teachers a homemade card to show them that you see what they’ve done for you and giving them that validation can give them a boost of happiness for the day.”
Tang also recommends letters. She does, however, note that: “I believe everyone can show their appreciation to their teacher in their own personal way!”
Along with either writing letters or getting teachers personalized gifts, students can participate in Springs’ Teacher Appreciation Spirit Week. By dressing up according to the day’s theme such as swapping styles with a teacher, or wearing a sports jersey, you as a student can show you care enough about them to participate in the events planned for them!
Remember to appreciate teachers, as they truly do so much for students and staff, and deserve to be appreciated.
