~ From the Braintrust ~
Teacher Appreciation Week was observed last week, a week for recognizing our education and the vital role education plays in our individual and collective successes. Hats off to educators everywhere.
Wait, just a week to celebrate and appreciate the value of teaching? Seems too brief, in my opinion, to take just one week of the year to recognize teachers?
The concept of thanking teachers certainly is worthwhile. Thanking our own teachers, current and/or past, thanking our children’s teachers, and thanking those who have contributed to our successes makes sense. This includes not just teachers, but all who have helped teach and guide us.
Reflect for a moment on what Teacher Appreciation Week means to you.
In our busy lives, we can easily take people for granted, teachers included. That isn’t happening in the world of The Braintrust.
Examples of teachers who have made a difference in my life:
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Teachers of my children. Their time and efforts to teach, lead, and help are appreciated. Your work is appreciated, and you deserve to be commended.
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Former and current students who taught me through their hard work, humor and effort how to be a better teacher.
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Past and current colleagues, who have inspired me with their ideas, work ethic and passion for teaching.
- Former students like Sean Cordy, now an aspiring journalist himself, who taught me how valuable the power of inquisitiveness is in acquiring new knowledge.
- The teachers in the Delavan-Darien School District, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point that taught me and led me on a path in education that has resulted in 50 years of being in school deserve special thanks.
Teacher Appreciation Week goes beyond appreciating teachers in the classroom.
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Sports officials I work with, for teaching me about officiating athletics and how to be a better official.
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OnFocus colleagues who help me be a better writer.
We all can remember those certain teachers who stood out in our lives. For me, it was teachers from the Delavan-Darien School District like Mrs. Breidenstein(7th grade math), Mr. Kahl(6th grade math), and Mrs. Behar(middle school choir), and Mr Runyon(elementary school) who inspired and nurtured a love of math, reading and music at an early age. It’s teachers like Mr. Johnson in Business Calculus at UW-Whitewater that elevated my love of mathematics.
Teachers that make a difference aren’t just the ones in classrooms, however. Don’t forget, teachers are all around us.
Additional teachers who have made a difference:
- My grandparents, who taught me how to care for others, work hard and appreciate what you have.
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My sister, Cheryl, for teaching me as I grew up. She taught an energetic young boy what love was, giving time and attention. That is how siblings teach one another, after all. She went on to become an elementary teacher with incredible compassion and patience.
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My wife, Krista, for applying the lessons learned and experience gained as a teacher with our family. Krista is a great teacher who inspires others to pursue their dreams and to achieve their fullest potential.
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My children and stepchildren. Kids provide us with opportunities to learn, teaching us as we teach them. On a daily basis, I witness my children and stepchildren persevering through life’s challenges. Their experiences teach.
The greatest teachers in my life, though, are my parents, Billy and Laurene Keech. As parents, they taught so many lessons, and their learning goals were clear:
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Say please and thank you
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Show your appreciation for others
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Work for what you want to achieve
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Never take things for granted
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Value and cherish your loved ones
Reflect for a moment on what Teacher Appreciation Week means to you.
Who taught you how to reflect?
Go thank a teacher, or two.
Even better? share this story and spread the word – giving thanks to all who help teach
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
