A few years ago, I found myself compelled to respond to a local journalist’s Twitter post featuring a trio of negative stories about teachers and education. Was she unaware that it was Teacher Appreciation Week? I thought it was only fair to balance the negative with some positivity. Her reply was that good news doesn’t grab headlines, while the bad stories attract public attention.
But I argued, there’s an abundance of positive stories in education. Sadly, they often go unnoticed. Last year, I penned a piece in the local newspaper urging people to recognize the good happening within our schools. I encouraged the community to look beyond mere test scores and focus on the students who challenge themselves, the teachers who inspire creativity, and the countless ways that educators go above and beyond to provide enriching experiences for all students.
During this week, many educators will receive homemade cards, Pinterest-inspired crafts, heartfelt poems, and other tokens of appreciation. Parents and students will do their utmost to express their gratitude for our hard work and dedication. While we cherish these gestures, I yearn for something more impactful this year—something that costs little to nothing and requires minimal effort.
I want to transform the narrative surrounding education, and I challenge you to help with this mission. This week, I urge you to utilize your social media platforms to share uplifting stories about teachers you know. Ideally, these will be the teachers of your children, but they could also be educators who had a profound impact on your own life. Whether it’s through Instagram photos, quick anecdotes on Twitter, or Facebook updates, let’s work together to shift the prevailing negativity that often clouds perceptions of our profession.
Stories have the power to connect us, inspire change, and uplift. If the media primarily focuses on the negatives, it’s up to us to amplify the positives. Share a teacher’s story. Share your experiences. Share the expertise, compassion, creativity, and ingenuity that educators embody. Celebrate both the small victories and the significant milestones, not just this week but always. Use the hashtags #TeacherStories and #ThankATeacher to join the conversation.
Let’s change the narrative and foster a more appreciative dialogue about education. That’s how you can truly honor a teacher.
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In summary, let’s take this opportunity to celebrate educators by sharing their uplifting stories and highlighting the incredible impact they have on students and communities.