Teacher Appreciation Day: To All Teachers, Thank You For Everything You Do

teacher appreciation day

Today, May 5th, is National Teacher Appreciation Day. It’s an incredibly important day because teachers don’t get the appreciation they deserve. If you ask me, these individuals are the most undervalued yet most important professionals in the whole world. This open letter is for them.

Thank you for doing more than teaching.

Teachers inspire us, push us to be our best selves, and they are with us throughout our life journey. They have always been there for us – from preschool, kindergarten, middle school, high school, and all the way to college. I can honestly say I am successful today because my teachers always believed in me. They always told me that one day I would make a difference in the world and here I am trying to do just that. 

Thank you for the lessons I’ll never forget.

I know that some of my teachers may not remember me. But I will always remember every single one of them and the lessons they taught me. Students sometimes overlook the sacrifices their teachers make, and teachers themselves may forget just how important their contributions are. Today is an opportunity to acknowledge the impact they have on their students. 

Thank you for your selflessness.

Schools are busy places, and you don’t have the time to stop and reflect upon the influence that you have over the young people in your care. You put an inordinate amount of effort into preparing students for their future, and your hard work is sometimes overlooked. Thank you for giving your heart and soul to provide your students with what they need. You empower them and ignite their passions. Moreover, you’re willing to work long hours for modest pay when you surely could be making more money with less stress and greater prestige. And for that, we thank you.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for the conversations, the listening ear, the handshakes, the friendly smile, and the compliments that mean the most to young people. Those words will remain with them for a very long time.

Thank you for caring unconditionally.

Thank you for trying to figure out every day how to manage the needs of so many students. You love your students, especially the ones who are hard to love because they make your days so difficult. But you know that sometimes, the most difficult students are the ones who need the most care. 

Thank you for educating the next generation.

Thank you for influencing the minds of the young. And thank you for all your sacrifice and dedication to educating today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders. For the extra hours you spend after school grading, planning, and doing endless amounts of paperwork. Thank you for all you do, even when the job is challenging and exhausting. 

Thank you for modeling patience, honesty, perseverance, wisdom, responsibility, and a commitment to lifelong learning to the best of your ability each and every day in your classroom. 

Your work has a long-term impact on the lives of your students – as well as society as a whole. You have the power to shape generations, impact minds, and make the world a better place. 

Most of all, thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do to create a better future. You’re making a huge difference in the world every single day. Please don’t ever forget that. 

Thank you for teaching. 

Photo by Aw Creative on Unsplash.

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