Thursday, May 05, 2005

appreciation is overrated

So apparently, it was National Teacher Appreciation Week. I didn't know that until I read it on other teachers' blogs. My school totally missed the boat on that one. There was no celebration, no special lunch, no notes or cards acknowledging our hard work. And honestly, I'm not sure who exactly is supposed to appreciate us. Is it the administration? The parents? The students?

I'm not really upset about it... I guess. I mean, it would have been nice to get something. If it were up to me, here's what I'd want for Teacher Appreciation Week:

~ I'd want someone to sit with my kids for 10 minutes every morning for a week so I can take a bathroom/coffee break, instead of having to wait for lunch or my prep period.
~ I'd want a sincere thank you from the parents of my students. (Especially my most difficult students.)
~ I'd want all 24 of my kids to come to school, on time, prepared with pencils and erasers and homework for a whole week.

I don't think that's too much to ask.

But... yesterday morning, one of the moms gave me a gift bag and said, "This is for you, for Mother's Day. I know you don't have any kids, but you're like a mother to all the kids you teach." Inside the bag was a card and a desk set with a notepad, pen and holder. Small gift, big sentiment. It truly made my whole day.

4 comments:

la maestra said...

my school totally forgot about teacher appreciation week too! what's up with that?!? i would have to add "my students would not eat, throw away, or insert into various bodily orifices their erasers for one week". ridiculous how every monday they get new ones and by tuesday morning only two people have usable erasers. OH, and i'd like my lunch to actually last 30 minutes for a whole week!

Sara said...

Well, I guess I was lucky. I got a lunch from the PTO. I think teachers are on the receiving end of a lot of negative stuff, yet we return day after day to do the job that we love. I'll take my thank yous in hugs and high fives.

MandyGirl said...

Hi! I found your blog through Sara's blog. I'm a teacher as well, but I'm one of the dreaded music teachers. All the other teachers at my school think we don't actually work. ;)

Anyway, we've had desserts delivered to our classroom at least once a day this week. Two days this week we got a full hour for lunch, and the PTA provided lunch for us Wednesday. We also get little gifts in our mailboxes every day. It's fun! I'm sorry you guys got cheated!!!

Meegan @ The Harvey Circus said...

At least one of your parents appreciates you :)
(She probably has the student who does do their h/work, come to school prepared and on time!)