Teacher appreciation and Creativity

Good Tuesday Morning Everyone!

This week is national teacher appreciation week, so I want to give a shout out to all my teacher colleagues who are reading this blog post today!  To say that you are amazing at what you do is an understatement!  I have been so blown away by the amazing creativity, energy, thought, and problem-solving that has gone into making school-at-home work over the last six weeks.   I am sure many of you have read the words from Ken Buck below but just in case, please enjoy...

 

I love how Buck says, "Apollo 13'ed" it.!  Students, do you know what this reference means?  I am not sure how many of you have watched the movie Apollo 13, (maybe you've seen it your science classes or on teams)  Either way, here is the clip Buck is referring to when he says that teachers Apollo 13ed it. 

Teachers have had no choice but to make it work.   Just like those scientists depicted in the movie, wherein that moment the choice was to make it work or lose the astronauts, at this moment the choice has been to make it work so that students don't miss out on important learning, the continuation of social connections, and daily meals.  (The other important piece to remember is that those scientists learned to do what they did because they were mentored by a teacher, more on that later).

So how might you show your appreciation for your teachers this week?  It could be with the simple act of completing your work and logging into team meets and class-sessions.  This shows respect for the work your teachers have put into you and your classmates.

It could be a simple email letting them know you appreciate them.  It could be a card or a piece of artwork that you share.   Whatever you choose to do, please consider how important the role of a teacher is in your life.  

Consider all that teachers do...

Teachers create

Teachers differentiate

Teacher help kids and each other

Teachers document

Teachers input and analyze data

Teachers plan and prepare

Teacher collaborate

Teachers support parents

Teacher fix things

Teachers worry (about their students)

Teachers manage

Teachers clean up messes (physical and emotional)

Teachers show flexibility

Teachers constantly learn and search for new ideas

Teachers organize

Teachers share information

Teachers spend (time, energy, and money)

Teachers support positive behaviors and gently correct undesirable ones.  

Teacher zip (coats), tie (shoes), open (lunches), soothe (hearts). 

Teachers encourage

and 

Teachers lead.

(List compiled with support from angelabarton on We Are Teachers, 10/16/18)

Without teachers, we would have nothing because, 

‘Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.’ —Unknown

So please don't forget to thank your teachers this week!  And if you are a teacher and you are reading this, THANK YOU!  I see you, I appreciate you, and I recognize all the hard work you do each day to positively affect the lives of our students.  

We appreciate all of our teachers, but we also appreciate all of you, students, too!  We are coming to let you know about it.  Look out for us on Thursday, May 7th, between 3:30 and 6:00 driving through Duxbury and Waterbury to show you our love and support!  Please check out this route map so you'll know when and where to see us, keeping in mind that these times are approximate based on the weather and road conditions.  If you don't live directly on the route, we hope you can walk to a spot to come say hello!  As per the Governor's orders, please respect social distancing guidelines, please wear a face covering, and do not gather in groups.  Additionally, exercise caution when walking or biking along the roads.  Check-in with your parents to make sure you have permission to join the honk and wave event.  (Even better, bring them along!)  

Be Well,

Mrs. Hempey