11. Seize every opportunity to applaud and encourage

11. Seize every opportunity to applaud and encourage those around us who make things better for students.  

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

* The school environment is inviting, safe, inclusive, and supportive of all. School Environment

Yesterday ended Teacher Appreciation Week. The student council gave us a poem and chocolates. The librarian and assistants served breakfast to us. The PTO gave us Bob’s Donuts, a local business famous for yummy donuts; one student wrote a letter to us; and two others gave personal notes of appreciation.  To end the week, our teammate was named Secondary Teacher of the Year for our district, (Hooray for Jeremy) and our superintendent sent the following message.

Good Afternoon:

As I sit here at the end of Teacher Appreciation Week, I did not want to go home without letting each of you know how much I sincerely appreciate you.  You and your fellow educators do so much for the students of McDowell County that one day, one week, or even one month cannot possibly come close to thanking you enough.  In a world where most folks have to wonder what kind of difference they are making on their communities and beyond, educators like you know the impact you have.  I want to thank you for choosing McDowell County Schools as your home.  We are all better for it.

We had the annual Teacher of the Year banquet last evening.  This is one of my favorite nights of the year because we get to celebrate colleagues and brag on them out loud.  The shame is that we can only honor thirteen teachers at this one event when countless more could be right there with them.  As I was listening to all the glowing things being said, it occurred to me that we don't need to wait until an official event or dedicated week to let our fellow educators know how much we value them and their many contributions.  I challenge all to seize every opportunity we have to applaud and encourage those around us who make things better for students.  

As a final culmination of Teacher Appreciation Week, it is my pleasure to announce that Carrie Franklin (K,1,2 at Glenwood Elementary) is the 2016-17 McDowell County Schools Teacher of the Year.  Jeremy Gardin (8th-grade social studies at West McDowell Middle) has been selected as the Secondary Teacher of the Year.  Please join me in congratulating these two great teachers.  Now more importantly, please join me in celebrating all of our great McDowell County Schools educators for the passion and dedication they bring to our schools each and every day.  You change student lives for the better.  Know that I am humbled and honored to serve alongside you.

With sincerest appreciation and immense gratitude,

-Mark

My favorite line is, “I challenge all to seize every opportunity we have to applaud and encourage those around us who make things better for students.”

The year is coming to a close. In classes we are reviewing strategies and content; teams are taking field trips; our jazz band is performing at elementary schools, and the turn in the weather and the ending of the year is revealing new, sometimes challenging, behaviors in some students.

We, as teachers, are under much pressure. How our children perform on the exams in this state is the only measure of our worth. So, to hear appreciation from those we work with and for, and to hear celebrations of our colleague, reminds us that we, too, are more than a test score. Teaching is rich, powerful, and important. We are all contributing to the well-being and the futures of our children!

Here’s to us!

Advice

1)   At some point, you need to let a teacher know he/she made a difference in your life, for this is the essence of our passion. In fact, write lots of letters, not emails… well okay, send some emails. (:  (I have a letter that a student wrote me in the fall. She is thirteen. She wrote it on the back of her test. It is framed and on my desk to remind me that I made a difference to her that day or that week.)

2)   Celebrate your colleagues. When you hear good things, share them. Last week, two of my students said, ‘Do you think Mr. Gardin will win the district Teacher of the Year?” They paused and then said, ‘I hope so.” I shared this conversation with Mr. Gardin. And while he has been overwhelmed with accolades, plaques, flowers, balloons, and dinners… comments like this, from his kids, are gems. When we value one another and share in the good work we are doing, we cannot help but pass on our love of what we do to our students.

3)   Our administrators and support personnel, our PTO and our parents also need to feel valued. I visit with one of our custodial colleague every afternoon. She is the reason our building is so welcoming and fresh. Our front office administrator is the voice and spirit who welcomes and troubleshoots all day, our book keepers keep all of us in compliance and remind us, often, of what is missing, with open hearts. We all need to say 'thank you.' Schools do not run themselves. So Teacher Appreciation can be a time for teachers to share their appreciation for all who are committed to children as well.