Amid the chaos of quarantine, I almost forgot that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week! If we were operating as normal, it would mean a week of handmade gifts from elementary school students, coffee mugs bought with parent’s money but at the direction of middle school students, and maybe a verbal “thanks” from high school students.
However, these are not normal times. And as much as teachers love painted macaroni necklaces that they will wear with pride, this year we as teachers have a slightly different wish-list for Appreciation Gifts.
1. Internet That Works.
I have yet to sign into a Zoom/Meets/Hang Out video meeting where the sound and video worked for every staff member involved. There is a lot of “Can you hear me now?” and “Please mute if you’re going to yell at your daughters.” The only saving grace is that with fuzzy video feeds it is hard to see just how long it has been since I washed my hair last.
2. Coffee, Wine, and Hard Liquor
On a good day in the building, I struggle to keep my head on straight with all the chaos that comes with teaching. Being at home, working without my co-teacher only steps away from me, battling technology issues, and making more phone calls than I have made since 2005 is killing me. I run on whiskey all morning and coffee all night. Wait…that might be backwards.
3. To Hear “They Do Act Like That At Home” From One Parent
Look, I know there are plenty of well-behaved children out there. 95% of my 7th graders fall into the “normal enough for middle schoolers” category. But for those kids, and teachers, you know who I’m talking about, I would love to hear from their parents that they are seeing what we see every day. I saw a meme this week where a stressed parent had painted on their car window “You lied. They are NOT a joy to have in class” and I almost spit out my whiskey. I mean coffee.
While these might not be on every teacher’s wish list, I know one item that we all would love more than anything….
4. To See Our Kiddos!
Teachers teach because we thrive in the classroom. We teach because we love interacting with our kids. The chaos of a classroom full of kids calling our names, excuses for why homework wasn’t completed right, TikTok dances being taught during study hall, bustling hallways full of high school heartbreak and middle school smells. These are the things that teachers miss the most right now. Things we never thought we would miss!
So if you’re one of those parents trying to still show your appreciation for the people who love on your kids, help mold them into productive human beings that can be let loose on society after graduation and who are doing everything in their power to still teach…make it personal. Send over videos of your kids saying hello. Make sure your kids sign in to one live teaching session this week. Have your kids make personalized cards and still send them to the school where the skeleton staff can make sure they get into the hands of beloved teachers. Now more than anything, while you and your kids are craving all things normal, their teachers are too. And seeing the gap-toothed smiles of elementary kids, the hidden grimaces behind middle school bangs, and tearful seniors who may be still coming to terms with the way their last year of school is ending will be a gift no teacher will ever want to get rid of.
