Where would our education system be without dedicated leadership? We are grateful for administrators at all levels who take on the challenges of running districts and schools. You have to make big decisions that impact so many people, and while you often do it with other leaders and teachers, a lot of the tough decisions fall squarely on your shoulders. We thank you for your leadership, guidance, and dedication to your teachers, students, and families.
Teaching is a challenging job. You plan lessons, prepare activities, call parents, attend countless meetings, and grade papers. You have to be on your toes to anticipate the needs of your students. You work hard to get to know and make connections with your students. You’re a band-aid dispenser, problem solver, giver of advice, playground supervisor, and so much more. You are often the one constant in the lives of so many of your students. You arrive at school early and stay late. You haul papers home to grade on your own time. You lose sleep over your students. All of this doesn’t go unnoticed. We see all these things, but sometimes we’re so busy facing our own challenges and jobs that we forget to say THANK YOU! Two words that sometimes seem inadequate for all you do!
We’re grateful for counselors who help make tough things easier for our students. They offer an ear, a shoulder, and tools for students to face challenging situations in the classroom and their lives. They make things better in so many ways.
To the coaches and PE teachers who help our students stay healthy, fit, and compete at their very best in sports, we say thank you! You spend long hours preparing activities to challenge your students physically and mentally. You are role models for how to handle both victory and defeat. You prepare students for life’s many challenges.
A big thank you to the librarians who instill the love of reading; to the art and drama teachers who bring out the creativity in our students; to the school nurses who are on the front lines of keeping everyone on campus well.
We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the contributions of the bus drivers who get our students to and from school safely everyday, and the cafeteria workers who prepare warm, healthy meals to nourish bodies and brains. We’re thankful for the custodians who keep our campuses and district buildings clean. We’re grateful for all the substitute teachers who keep our classrooms running when our teachers are ill or in training. We couldn’t do it without any of you!
To everyone who has a role in creating an environment where students learn, are safe, and well taken care of, we say THANK YOU!
Teia Hoover Baker is an educator, published author, and entrepreneur. She is an innovative, devoted educator whose career has been dedicated to coordinating programs that support struggling learners. Her passion is meeting students where they are and guiding them to excel. Her main focus is always what is best for children. Teia holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a Master’s of Education. In her spare time, she enjoys being Lovie to her growing grandchildren.
