With it being Teacher Appreciation Week, it makes sense to talk about teachers on a moms blog, right? The problem is that I don’t particularly like Teacher Appreciation Week. It is not that I don’t like my children’s teachers or teachers in general. I like them, many of them, a lot. I don’t like Teacher Appreciation Week because it is awkward. As a mom of little ones, I hear about Teacher Appreciation Week, but I don’t really know what it entails. For instance, “Does it apply to childcare teachers?”, I think to myself. “If it does apply, what are the expectations? Does the whole class get the teacher something? How much do I (they) spend? Do I buy something for the main teachers or all of the teachers (because there are a lot)? I even wonder if I am supposed to get something for the administrators at the daycare. After all, they are in charge of all the teachers, right? And, what about the teachers I really know?”
For all these reasons, Teacher Appreciation Week stresses me out. Now, I do get something for my children’s teachers. Some years it has been more than others (for no particular reason), but I always do. I hope that it is enough. Outside what I have materially given them, what I really want to tell teachers is this:
- Sometimes I don’t like you. I’m sorry about this one, I really am, but it is true. It is not true all the time, and of course, it depends on a number of factors. There’s that saying that no one takes care of your child like you. Whether this is reality or not, it is real perception. So, yes, I have gotten upset when my child wasn’t given their correct lunch, when my child wasn’t given enough potty breaks, and when my child’s pacifier was taken away.
- At times I am jealous of you. It is true. I am jealous of my children’s teachers at times. You get to spend all day with my child. You get to see them interact with others. Sometimes you get to hear a word said for the first time, see their first footsteps, or teach them to write their name. These are milestones that I miss and you see.
- Most of the time I really like you. There are so many times, I am glad my children have the teachers they do. I enjoy getting to know you, teachers. I like that you take the time to tell me good morning and ask about how my child is doing. I like that you ask how my child slept last night. I like how you interact with my other children. I like that you get to know my child and his/her likes.
- All the time, I am THANKFUL for you. Thank you for taking care of my children (dirty diapers, green boogers, toddler tantrums and all). Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for teaching my children. You teach them to be kind to their friends. You teach them to color. You teach them to eat independently. You teach them to write their letters. You teach them that it is okay to be without their parent during the day. For all these reasons (and more!), I am thankful for my childcare teachers, and all teachers.
Although I still may not be sure where childcare teachers fit into Teacher Appreciation Week officially, nor am I sure what the heck I am supposed to do for Teacher Appreciation Week, what I do know is that I am thankful for them. Despite the ups and downs of each day, my gratitude for them is unwavering. I couldn’t do what I do without them. I may not like Teacher Appreciation week, but I am appreciative every day.
