Today is National Teacher Day, which is observed on Tuesday during the first full week of May. We honor professional educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education. Each week when I visit a different school across southwestern Connecticut, I'm always impressed with the commitment and dedication of our teachers to their craft and their students. Clearly, they have a passion for what they do, and it shows through their creativity and energy.
The demands and challenges teachers face today are much different than when I left the classroom nearly 16 years ago. I taught middle school Science and English from 1985 to 1995, long before the widespread use of modern-day technology, which has become an integral part of the educational experience. Educators are constantly improving their curricula, and many attend classes and seminars during the Summer months to learn new methods of instruction and classroom management.
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. According to the teacher appreciation Web site, "Teaching is possibly one of the most vocational jobs. It is simply impossible to teach if you don’t like that activity, or if you don’t care for your students. Care, that’s the word. But, how often do we, the rest of us, care for our current or former teachers? How often do we show our teacher appreciation? How often do we thank them for their care, efforts and help?"
A teacher’s highest reward is feeling the true appreciation and gratitude of his or her current or former students. I know, because I've received letters and phone calls from former students of mine. I can't tell you how rewarding it is to hear from a student I taught 25, 20, or even 15 years ago telling me how much they learned and enjoyed my classes. I still enjoy teaching today. Here are two photos of my recent school visits with News 12 Connecticut's Weatherkids from Fairfield Woods Middle School and West School in New Canaan.
If you have children in the school system, I'm sure you're grateful for the work of our teachers. Even if you don't have any school-aged children, I'm sure you're aware of the work of our dedicated educators. They deserve our support, and I applaud them. I have a son at Fairfield Ludlowe High School and another son at Fairfield Woods Middle School. I'll be sure to thank both of my sons' teachers this week.
Thank you, teachers.
Paul
The demands and challenges teachers face today are much different than when I left the classroom nearly 16 years ago. I taught middle school Science and English from 1985 to 1995, long before the widespread use of modern-day technology, which has become an integral part of the educational experience. Educators are constantly improving their curricula, and many attend classes and seminars during the Summer months to learn new methods of instruction and classroom management.
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. According to the teacher appreciation Web site, "Teaching is possibly one of the most vocational jobs. It is simply impossible to teach if you don’t like that activity, or if you don’t care for your students. Care, that’s the word. But, how often do we, the rest of us, care for our current or former teachers? How often do we show our teacher appreciation? How often do we thank them for their care, efforts and help?"
A teacher’s highest reward is feeling the true appreciation and gratitude of his or her current or former students. I know, because I've received letters and phone calls from former students of mine. I can't tell you how rewarding it is to hear from a student I taught 25, 20, or even 15 years ago telling me how much they learned and enjoyed my classes. I still enjoy teaching today. Here are two photos of my recent school visits with News 12 Connecticut's Weatherkids from Fairfield Woods Middle School and West School in New Canaan.
If you have children in the school system, I'm sure you're grateful for the work of our teachers. Even if you don't have any school-aged children, I'm sure you're aware of the work of our dedicated educators. They deserve our support, and I applaud them. I have a son at Fairfield Ludlowe High School and another son at Fairfield Woods Middle School. I'll be sure to thank both of my sons' teachers this week.
Thank you, teachers.
Paul
