As every grade school, high school, and college kid is moaning, groaning, packing, reading the 300-page book they forgot about all summer, teachers everywhere have also been preparing for weeks in advance. It is pretty evident how under appreciated teachers are—from their salaries to the pain-in-the-booty kids, I think it’s time we owe a little extra gratitude to our fellow educators.
To the veteran teachers, thank you for hanging in there. Year after year you continue to come back with new ideas on how to improve not only your class room, but your teaching style. You have also done a phenomenal job adjusting to the technological era, adjusting to everything from smart boards to kids loitering on Facebook instead of staying on any particular learning site.
To the brand spanking new teachers, you guys got this in the bag. Freshly graduated—or a couple years out of college—you guys are ready to handle anything. You more than anyone else knows it takes a certain type of person to be tolerant of any type of student. You are open and ready for new ideas and ready to learn from the students just as you are ready to teach them. Not to mention, you were well aware of the salary going into this particular major and you were still passionate, and we students salute you.
To teachers in training, don’t you dare give up. Seriously, without you guys everyone is screwed. You will be teaching our kids, and for some of you, our kid's kids. Also, you guys are still in the system so pay extra close attention to certain teaching styles of your favorite and least favorite teachers which I am sure you have been doing since you had the urge to become a teacher.
To the not so great teachers, thank you for helping us reach rock bottom and (hopefully) passing the class anyways (despite the hard times you put us through). That’s all that will be said on that. There are not that many of you, and for the few of you crummy teachers out there: you know who you are and I need to see you guys after class.
SIDE NOTE: To any students out there reading this DO NOT jump to the conclusion that the teacher is at fault for anything. That is such a last resort option because it is most likely our fault for the low grade, the detention, or the sassy remarks that get thrown our way. We kids are cool but we’re not thaaaaat cool.
Nobody is this cool.
To the legendary teachers, thank you for gaining the respect of us students using the perfect secret combination of kindness, humor, passion for learning, and the little threat you carried with you everywhere you went. Students love you teachers, even the worst kind of students. This is proven by the numerous stories that are sprinkled throughout our entire lives that we have told to other friends, parents, co workers, and anyone else who cares to listen.
So as everyone heads back to school with their fresh kicks and pudding packs, give that extra ounce of respect to the reason you are there. Teachers everywhere, you guys are the bomb and don’t you forget it.
