OPINION: Honoring St. Michael, Albertville Teachers

Which teacher made a significant difference in your life?  Or, more likely, teachers?

As I visit classrooms in , I observe excellent teaching and engaged students.  I enjoy the opportunities not only to watch but also to talk with teachers about their students and what they are learning.  Teacher Appreciation Week and these personal experiences serve as reminders of the differences teachers make in the lives of students every day. I genuinely appreciate their commitment to the students and families of STMA.

I want to especially note a constant in each classroom visit–the commitment the teachers make to build relationships with students, recognizing their variety of backgrounds and diverse array of needs. I am convinced that, along with a rigorous curriculum and excellent instruction, the relationships teachers build with students and their families are an important component to the successes that we see in STMA students. I know that the learning climate teachers establish is not easily measured, or often recognized when we measure student achievement. But I applaud our teachers for ensuring a positive and supportive learning environment.

While parents will always be the first and most important teacher in a child’s life, teachers deserve recognition as professionals who develop our students’ great abilities and interests so that the hopes and dreams of students and parents can be fulfilled, not only for the benefit of the students but for the greater strength of our community. There is a great deal of excellent work being done in our schools by dedicated teachers who lend their passion and skills to educating STMA students.

Few jobs are harder, offer more challenges and have higher expectations, yet draw misplaced blame. It is sometimes easy to generalize the criticism that is reflected at the state and federal level and in the media, but one only needs to visit an STMA school and classroom to learn of the great work that teachers do each and every day. In fact, I find overwhelming commendation for our local teachers from parents and the community.

We are proud of the achievement of STMA students and know that it is possible by the support of our community and parents and the excellent teaching that occurs in our classrooms. Teacher Appreciation Week reminds us of teachers who made a significant different in our lives and the lives of our children.