Portsmouth Parents Thank Local Educators For Teacher Appreciation Week

PORTSMOUTH, RI — It's National Teacher Appreciation Week, observed every year from May 1-7.

There's no better time to let the teachers in Portsmouth who show up for your kids every day know how much you appreciate them, especially since the last two years have been tough for educators across Rhode Island and the United States.

Recently, educators have dealt with teacher and staff shortages, student behavior problems and increasing polarization surrounding what should be taught.

At the same time, teachers often dig into their own bank accounts to pay for classroom supplies. An Economic Policy Institute analysis three years ago found the average teacher spent $459 a year on classroom supplies. The highest inflation in 40 years hasn't helped.

With all of this in mind, Patch took to Facebook to give Portsmouth parents an opportunity to show local teachers how much they are appreciated. Two parents shared with Patch their shout-outs for specific Portsmouth educators:

From Parent Karen Gleason

"Joao Arruda made a big impact on my two children, so much so, they both became foreign language teachers and studied abroad," Gleason said. "He is the best and had high expectations for his students. Always went and continues to go above and beyond."

From Parent Colleen McDonald

"Monica L. Taft has made such an impact on not only my children, but so many children in Portsmouth," McDonald said. "She goes above and beyond for our youth. She is there for the kids who feel alone, the kids who struggle in school and socially. She supports them in so many ways."