Teachers Deserve Our Thanks

The halls grow louder as the last day of school quickly approaches. Excited teens are talking about their summer plans. Whether they are going to camp, participating in sporting events, or taking trips, everyone is excited to walk out of the school doors for the last time this year.

But we sometimes forget about the people we see from September to June who are responsible for making us learn—the teachers. They too are looking forward to the time off. But many will be spending time in classes of their own, learning even more things to make our time in school more enjoyable.

Teachers do so much more than just teach us. Some inspire us to choose a particular career in life or get better grades. Whatever it is, teachers often have a major impact on our lives. To help someone learn is something special. People sometimes become teachers because a teacher inspired them. Famous Americans often say it was a teacher who led them into a particular profession. For actors, maybe their drama teacher inspired them. Or maybe famous artists’ art teachers inspired them to turn their love of art into a career.

Teachers give teens opportunities, from submitting an essay to a magazine or newspaper to signing up for a math competition. Teachers test your skills, not just the facts they teach in class.

On average, teachers see 150 teens every day, five days a week, nine months a year. With that comes having to deal of all different kinds of teens. It’s sad when some teens interfere with learning for the rest, but it’s something teachers handle well. It’s their job to give all of us an equal chance at learning.

Teachers’ help sometimes goes beyond the classroom. They’re there to listen and offer suggestions if you have a problem. We should be comfortable talking with our teachers if we have a problem. It was a close relative’s sixth-grade teacher who discovered that he had dyslexia, a learning disability. Because of that teacher, he was able to get the help he needed, improve his grades and learn more easily.

So when you walk down the halls for the last time, think about the teachers who have made a difference in your life. Most of my schooling has been in public school, and I remember a few teachers who made a difference in my life. In any case, all teachers deserve our respect. Before you walk out of those doors for the last time or at least until September, take a moment to stop and tell your teachers, “Thank you.”

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