Throughout our education, who were the adults many of us saw the most, other than our parents? Who were the people that taught us life-long skills from our ABCs to our addition and subtraction?
Our teachers.
They have been with us from the very beginning — guiding, supporting, and believing in us even when we may not have believed in ourselves. They have played an important role in shaping our character, encouraging our dreams, and helping us grow.
Teachers do so much more than just deliver lessons to us.
Here at La Salle, we see firsthand just how much our teachers go above and beyond to care and support students. We see teachers constantly going out of their way for us, whether it’s staying extra late after school just to help make sure students actually understand the material or making sure to check in with students and create a classroom environment that feels safe and welcoming.
They listen to us, push us to grow, help shape our character, and care about who we are — not just as students, but as people.
Many students do not always see the effort that goes on behind the scenes of being a teacher. Teachers spend hours planning lessons, grading papers, and attending meetings. They adapt to different learning styles and adjust their plans when things go off track.
They often give up their free time — time that could be spent doing anything else — just to make sure that we succeed.
However, teaching has never been an easy job.
Teachers face a lot of pressure to meet high expectations in all directions. From having to juggle the long list of tasks inside and outside the classroom to trying to meet and manage students’ needs and demands, teachers encounter many challenges every day.
But despite all this, they show up every day ready to give their best to their students. They celebrate our successes, big or small, and help us bounce back from our failures.
Teachers are often our mentors, counselors, role models, and inspire us to learn and to work hard, making school a place of fun instead of fear.
In a world where change is ever-present, one thing has stayed the same: the impact a great teacher can have on a student’s life. Many of us remember a teacher who has left a lasting impression — the ones who made us feel seen, who helped us understand something we thought we would not, or maybe just listened to us when we had a bad day. These moments may seem small, but they stay with us for years.
Without teachers, school would be just a building.
Teachers are the people who spark a love for learning in students, young and old, and make us keep wanting to come back. They teach each of us how to be better people by being more responsible, kind, curious, and respectful.
We are blessed to be surrounded by people who have chosen to devote their lives to help us have a better future, so let’s make sure to show them our appreciation instead of taking them for granted.
Appreciation is shown not just with words, but with our actions. That means listening in class, doing our part, and treating our teachers with kindness. It means understanding that they are people too — people that care and want the best for us.
As this week is Teacher’s Appreciation Week, make sure to thank teachers and let them know that their hard work matters because without them, none of us would be where we are today.
