True heroes don’t get caught up in receiving physical items; they want to know that their work is seen on an everyday basis.
Each year around this time (May) across the US, teachers are given flowers, sweet handwritten cards with misspelled words, gift cards and most importantly, FOOD. As someone that has worked as a special education teacher for over 8 years, let’s just say that teacher appreciation week can feel like a consolation prize instead of true appreciation. But this blog post isn’t about the pros and cons about being a teacher or to talk about the broken system within education. It’s to highlight the unsung heroes that live right within our communities.
It's easy to forget about individuals that create balance and a sense of stability daily, especially when life feels like a revolving door. Go to work, provide for your family, send your kids to school, pray that they’re safe, pay bills, decide between Walmart or Target, get gas, take kids to practice, make dinner, and do it all over again tomorrow. This endless routine can sometimes make us forget about the unsung heroes behind the scenes.
The older I get the more I appreciate the statement We Need Each Other. There is no secret that certain aspects in life require multiple people on each end keeping the process going. If we want teachers to know they’re appreciated, one of the coolest things we can do regularly is to simply say, “Thank You”. True heroes don’t get caught up in receiving physical items; they want to know that their work is seen on an everyday basis. Now, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still give them an Amazon or Chic-Fila gift card to go along with the appreciation.
Teacher Appreciation week isn’t just a positive reminder for educators, it’s a reminder to us all that someone is on the other side keeping the train chugging along. My challenge for us is to find opportunities to show appreciation to teachers and others that keep our life and our routines consistent. These are the people you see daily, but might not notice because of their commitment and consistency. Maybe you’re the hero reading this, if so, I want to tell you THANK YOU! This world is better because of you. Keep leading with love.
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