As a mother, sending my eldest child to middle school last fall was one of the most intimidating experiences I have faced. Sure, kids make it through sixth grade every year, and I might be overreacting, but I can’t shake the anxiety I felt about this transition. Middle school, in my memory, was a turbulent time filled with awkward changes—bra shopping, braces, acne treatments, and all the social drama that comes with it. Those years were riddled with insecurities and the ever-present quest for popularity.
Despite my own middle school experiences, I was fortunate enough to skate by as someone who wasn’t at the top of the social hierarchy but was also not the least popular. However, since becoming a parent, I’ve been bombarded with horror stories about today’s middle school environment. Tales of questionable bathroom activities, chaotic dances, and school buses described as prisons for tweens have left me feeling uneasy. My child even came home after his first day saying he understood the inspiration behind Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.” Yikes.
Fortunately, as the year progressed, his outlook improved significantly. Now, as we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week, I have a few heartfelt thoughts for his sixth-grade teachers:
Though I don’t know you personally, your impact is profound.
This year marks my first experience with a child who has multiple teachers each semester. With three younger siblings, I simply haven’t had the time to engage at school. I find myself in a position where I don’t know my child’s teachers at all—not even enough to recognize them in a lineup. This might explain why many parents struggle with Teacher Appreciation Week; buying gifts for eight different teachers is a daunting task. Nevertheless, I want each of you to know that even if I can’t identify you, I am incredibly grateful for the care and guidance you provide my son every day. His year has exceeded my expectations, and I attribute much of that to your influence.
This year has shown me the significance of your role.
Thanks to you, my child was introduced to Shakespeare, crafted a manta ray from felt and pipe cleaners, tackled algebra, and even began to explore public speaking and debate. He built a motor, learned to play volleyball, and discovered his passion for languages. I hadn’t fully grasped how middle school serves as a pivotal point for learning until now. The teacher who introduces a student to Shakespeare holds a special place in their heart, and I’m overjoyed my son has had such positive experiences in your classroom.
Your work is nothing short of heroic.
As a mother of two tweens, I cannot fathom entering a classroom filled with their hormonal energy every day as your job demands. While I recognize the unique qualities of this age group and understand the job can be rewarding, it must also be incredibly challenging. When considering the disparity between the importance of your work and your compensation, it’s clear you are heroes in our society. I genuinely believe that if superheroes wear pajamas, they would feature the faces of middle school teachers.
To show my appreciation, I sent in a cake for a PTA-sponsored buffet this week. I didn’t have the time to label it or let anyone know it was from my family, but perhaps that anonymity allowed for a broader sense of appreciation. It’s a shame that we need a designated week to honor teachers, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to express my thanks. The job you do is tough, and when done well, it often goes unrecognized.
This is my way of acknowledging your hard work.
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In summary, middle school teachers are invaluable allies in a child’s education, offering support and guidance through a pivotal stage of life. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated, especially during Teacher Appreciation Week.