April 30, 2010
May is designated Teacher Appreciation Month by the National PTA, but we really should be acknowledging and appreciating our teachers year-round for the dedication they show under very challenging situation.
While May is the traditional time for honoring teachers and saluting the lasting contributions they make to our communities, we should all be mindful of the critical role they play in molding and educating the future generation of workers, scientists, doctors, pilots, mechanics, plumbers, artists, parents, volunteers, parents, citizens, and voters.
Teachers have an enormous impact on the future of our society and it is fitting to take time at the end of the school year to salute some of the unsung heroes and heroines in our midst.
Teachers personify our society’s belief that universal public education is key to meeting the challenges of a changing world.
They strive to make every classroom an exciting environment where productive and useful learning can take place and each student is encouraged to grow and develop.
Our teachers reach out to foster the well-being of each student, regardless of ability, social or economic background, race, ethnic origin, or religion.
Teachers also motivate individual students to find new directions in life and reach high levels of achievement.
We know that teachers perform these tasks under very challenging conditions, with increasing pressures to raise test scores and measure ‘success’ by students’ answers to multiple-choice questions.
I know the public at large, countywide, and the entire educational community joins me in saying “thank you” to all teachers for their patience, their dedication, their hard work, and their results.
Our teachers make a difference every day and we are all very grateful.