What I Want to Share with My Son’s Sixth Grade Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week

home insemination Kit

As a mom, sending my oldest child to middle school last fall felt like a monumental challenge. I get it—plenty of kids make it through sixth grade every year, and I’m likely being overly dramatic. But ever since he was born, I’ve had this nagging worry about middle school. I can’t be alone in feeling that middle school is a mixed bag of awkwardness, from dealing with new body changes to navigating social cliques and the whirlwind of insecurities that come with it.

Sure, I had my fair share of middle school ups and downs, but I was fortunate enough to float in the middle of the social spectrum. Nowadays, however, the stories I hear about middle school make it sound like a chaotic nightmare. My son came home after his first day, saying he now understood the inspiration behind some crazy 80s rock lyrics. Yikes.

The silver lining? His outlook has dramatically improved since then. Now that we’re wrapping up his first year, and with National Teacher Appreciation Week here, I want to express my gratitude to his sixth-grade teachers:

Even though I don’t know you, I appreciate everything you do.

This year marked a new experience for me—having a child with multiple teachers each semester. With three younger kids, I haven’t been able to get involved at school like I used to. It’s a bit surreal not knowing my son’s teachers personally; I couldn’t even pick some of you out of a lineup! It’s no wonder that many parents don’t shower you with gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week—eight teachers is a lot to shop for, especially when you don’t know them well. But I want you to know that even if I don’t recognize your faces, I am truly grateful for the care and guidance you provide my son every day. His year has exceeded my expectations, and I know that’s largely thanks to you.

I may not have fully grasped your importance until this year.

This year, my child has explored Shakespeare, crafted a manta ray out of felt and pipe cleaners, tackled algebra, and even dived into public speaking and debates. He built a motor and discovered a passion for volleyball. He also found a love for languages! It never dawned on me how crucial middle school is for challenging and enriching kids’ learning. I now understand how significant it is to have teachers who introduce students to literature, and since my son doesn’t hate Shakespeare, I’m thrilled. My heart as an English major appreciates you for that!

You all are incredible for taking on this job.

As a parent of two tweens, I can’t imagine stepping into a classroom filled with their hormonal energy every day. I’m sure there are rewarding days, but wow, that’s a tough gig! With the disparity between your hard work and your pay, you all truly are my heroes. I genuinely believe that superheroes wear pajamas with the faces of middle school teachers on them.

Today, I contributed a cake to a PTA buffet for Teacher Appreciation Week. I didn’t have time to sign my name or let you know it was from us, but I hope the anonymity made you feel appreciated by many. It seems we shouldn’t need a special week to recognize teachers, but I’m glad we have it. It gives me a chance to say thank you for the challenging and crucial work you do. If you do your job well, fewer people speak up, but I want you to know how much I appreciate you.

In summary, I want my son’s teachers to know how grateful I am for their hard work, especially during this Teacher Appreciation Week. Their dedication has made a significant impact on his growth and learning this year.