St. James R-1 School District

As the end of the school year approaches, I’d like to take a moment to thank some very important people – our teachers.  This next week is the “official” Teachers Appreciation Week which just reminds us to thank our teaching staff and to reflect on the very important job they do.  I will tell you from experience and observation that you will not find a more caring, dedicated group of people in your acquaintance.  Not many professions call for the level of dedication that teaching does.

I should go back and tell you that teaching is not just a profession, it is a calling.  The best teachers truly love what they do and that love is reflected in their classrooms.  Many people think that teachers work from 8 till 3 and then go home, done for the day.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Most teachers spend hours at school, beyond the typical school day, preparing for the classroom in one way or another.  Additionally, they spend hours of time at home working on projects, grading papers and whatever else needs to be done.  It is also a fact that teachers spend their own salaries purchasing things for their classrooms and for their students.

I have teachers in my office on a regular basis, concerned about individual students and how best to address their needs – both educationally and on a personal level.  Teachers care.   Case in point, it was our teachers who suggested and lobbied to have a second parent/teacher conference time in second semester to better communicate with parents.  They, better than anyone, know that students are best served by a united teacher/parent partnership.  Your Board of Education supports this partnership and is happy to be able to provide this time for our teachers to establish a better working relationship with the parents of their students.

I guess what I want to say is that you should say thanks to a teacher.  They are true professionals with the most important of hands-on professions.  Each teacher is an individual with individual means and methods of educating students but I promise that each teacher has a true love of education and is dedicated to serving their students and providing them with the best education possible.

Thank you teachers!