Teacher Appreciation: why I appreciate you
Thank you teacher, for...
The extra 2, 4, 6, 8 hours you put in on the weekend but don’t get paid for.
Bravely putting your heart, knowledge, ego, and ideas out there to an audience of 20-30 students for 5-7 hours a day.
Your love of knowledge and your desire to share what excites you with young people.
Doing the parts of your job that suck because there’s no one else who can do it for you.
Holding your pee for hours.
Remembering that your students are human even when they don’t grant you the same grace.
Navigating the severe pendulum swings between loving and hating your work.
The times you stay late or lose your prep period in order to connect with a student 1:1.
Teaching your students stuff that caregivers don't have the bandwidth, know-how, or desire to teach them ourselves.
"Getting" kid humor, knowing kid slang, and actually appreciating some of it.
Being aware of the unique needs of every student in your classes and trying to meet every student where they're at.
The calm you tap into when talking to irate caregivers and unreasonable students.
Taking ownership of getting frustrated with your students even though they express no remorse for being ridiculous.
Absorbing students’ insecurities, anger, and frustration (even when it has nothing to do with you) without exploding.
Finding ways to bring your best self to the classroom even when you’re exhausted.
Providing a safe space for our young people to be, when the world isn’t always so safe.
Maintaining the necessary rules, regulations and routines while also nurturing the creative chaos students need to stretch and grow.
Doing what you think is best for your students in the face of external criticism and control.
Moving forward with a lesson even when you’re met with apathy and blank stares.
Learning a new curriculum or tech platform...and then learning a newer one a few years later.
Being a master of time management.
Prioritizing your students even though no one’s prioritizing you.
Managing the stress of everyone else’s expectations and big feelings.
You're simply the best.
(and if you want to hear me sing my abbreviated teacher appreciation version of "The Best" by Tina Turner to you, check it out here.)
What would you like to be thanked for?
What did I miss? Share with me in the comments or send me an email at coach@lauralitwiller.com.
I'm Laura, a career transformation coach for teachers feeling stuck.
I help you explore career possibilities beyond the classroom so that you can make a confident choice about what's next, based on your strengths, values, and what you want most for your life.