Teacher Appreciation Week at my school is quite the affair. Our Student Council provides us with breakfast on Monday, laptop stickers and lanyards on Tuesday, trail mix on Wednesday, distributes appreciation notes from students on Thursday, and pulls teacher names from a hat to win prizes on Friday.
Last year I received an appreciation note from “1st semester student with a great sleep podcast” that read:

You are one of the best teachers I have ever had. You care so much about health and the health of your students and it always shows. Health was one of my favorite classes this year because of the engaging way we covered topics. I really respect how you are always trying to improve as a teacher.

Wow! That student comment took my day to a 10/10, and I feel like I could write a separate blog post about how hard I have worked to develop the qualities identified in that note. Like all positive emails and notes, I saved it in a folder for occasions when I need a quick pick-me-up.

I can be cynical at times. Teaching for 28 years will do that to you, but I argue that Teacher Appreciation Week is needed more than ever before due to the unprecedented challenges teachers have faced over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic upended the education system, forcing teachers to quickly adapt to remote learning and hybrid models. This required teachers to hastily learn new technologies, create engaging and effective virtual lessons, and find ways to connect with students who were facing their own challenges.
Furthermore, teachers have had to deal with the emotional toll of the pandemic on themselves, their colleagues, and their students. Many teachers have experienced personal loss or anxiety, while also supporting their students through difficult times.
In addition to the challenges brought on by the pandemic, many teachers continue to face other difficulties, including low pay, lack of resources, and growing class sizes. These issues have been compounded by a teacher shortage in many areas, making it even more important to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of those who have remained in the profession.

Just liked the themed events at many schools, inspirational educator Dr. Bob Knipe has put together a series of themed challenges for you to complete this week. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #PhysEdShoutout

Saying thank you, and showing appreciation for others, is a great way to spread (and receive) happiness, and I shared the perfect way to write a gratitude message in this blog post: Writing the Perfect Teacher Appreciation Thank you.

Dale Sidebottom has also shared his thoughts about this in his Happiness Boomerang microblog post.

[spreading kindness] is extremely contagious, and it will make people smile when they need it most. The best part of the happiness boomerang though is when it comes back to you each day you will get a massive hit of oxytocin, the love drug, which is highly addictive and life-changing.

Dale Sidebottom

In addition to Bob’s shout outs, and Dales’ happiness boomerang, you can also join in with my simple way to show appreciation to a teacher. Based on the simple techniques shared in this post, and using the power of the Google extension ‘Autocrat’, if you complete this simple form, a personalized appreciation image will be sent to the teacher of your choice. See below for an example.

This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media (including Andy Milne, the author of this post) and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com

Pair this post with the following:

Writing the Perfect Teacher Appreciation Thank You by Andy Milne

Positive Phone Calls Home by Mike Chamberlain

What Is The Most Fun Thing You’ve Ever Done? by Mark Housel

How to Facilitate Deeper Connections to Physical Activity by Jordan Manley

Have you read the latest Book of the Month recommendation?