Over two decades ago, I began my career as a library media specialist in an elementary school. The memories from that time remain vivid, despite the years that have passed. My colleagues and I were part of an underappreciated and underpaid profession, but it quickly became clear that teaching is not a career driven by financial gain. It’s a commitment to public service, fueled by a passion that transcends monetary rewards.
Unfortunately, our society continues to undervalue educators, subjecting them to endless bureaucracy and ever-changing educational standards, testing protocols, and curriculum reforms. Few professions endure such challenges with the grace and dedication that teachers do.
So, why do they return each fall? The answer is simple: teaching is a calling. It’s more than just a job; it’s a vocation. Teachers strive to nurture our children into responsible, compassionate adults. If you reflect for a moment, I’m sure you can name at least one teacher from your past who profoundly impacted your life. For me, it’s easy to recall several, especially Mrs. Thompson, my middle school librarian, who allowed me to help with the library’s daily tasks. Her influence inspired my own path in librarianship.
To all the dedicated educators out there: Thank you.
- Thank you for being the surrogate parents to your students.
- Thank you for providing support to those who lack it at home.
- Thank you for uplifting those who only hear negativity.
- Thank you for investing your own resources so that every child has access to learning materials.
- Thank you for offering a quiet prayer for that challenging student—because they may not have anyone else rooting for them.
- Thank you for reading to those who lack that experience at home.
- Thank you for showing affection to the child who hesitates to accept it.
- Thank you for greeting every student with a warm smile, especially on tough mornings.
- Thank you for instilling belief in children’s potential, even when they’re told otherwise at home.
- Thank you for grading papers on weekends, creating bulletin boards late into Friday afternoons, and navigating planning days that often feel futile.
- Thank you for mastering the art of holding your bathroom breaks and squeezing lunch into mere minutes.
Most importantly, thank you for your unwavering enthusiasm in a field where your efforts often go unnoticed. You teach the same lessons year after year, sometimes wondering if your work is impactful. I assure you, it is. I remember, my children will remember, and somewhere down the line, one of your former students will carry fond memories of how you enriched their lives, enabling them to read, calculate, and critically think—all because of you.
And a special thank you to Mr. Johnson, my seventh-grade English teacher. At the time, I thought you were the worst for making us diagram sentences. However, I now recognize that you gifted me with an invaluable skill—the ability to craft words that resonate. Wherever you are, I’m going to diagram a sentence just for you.
For more insights and stories, check out our other posts, like this one. To learn more about home insemination, visit Make A Mom. An excellent resource for family planning options can be found at Resolve.
In summary, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping futures, often without recognition. Their dedication, resilience, and passion nurture the next generation, making an indelible mark on their lives.