Education Appreciation Week 2021

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week, but I'd like to propose a title change to Education Workers Appreciation Week because I can tell you unequivocally that the incredible things happening to make your child's learning complete involves more than just teachers. Like so many other times in our present society, we are reminded to show empathy, appreciation, gratitude and respect to someone based on what they do for the collective betterment. The issue I'd like to trumpet here comes from an admittedly biased view, but I'd like to see our society progress to where we show our appreciation THROUGHOUT the year for all of those incredible people who go above and beyond to improve our lives, education workers, not withstanding.

I'm going to stand on my education soapbox right now ... prepare thyself for a rant!

Education is a calling, full stop. 

I'll readily admit that there's a small percentage of those in education whose primary reason for the choice is not the betterment of the next generation, but that percentage is a lot smaller than education bashers would like you to believe. I was immersed in the miracle making for over 30 years, worked in 4 different schools, interacted with 100's of education workers, and fostered the curiousity of 1000's of young minds, so I feel very qualified to offer the opinion that the overwhelming majority are in it for the kids. Just like any profession you would choose to shine a bright light on, there are Superstars, All Stars, sort of Stars, and emerging Stars, but that all adds up to a significant number of people who believe passionately that the progress, development, and improvement of each generation is paramount to the health of society, and they are there to ensure it happens. 

For those who hold religion in high regard, the Lord makes all of us different.
For those that are less so, the genetic process ensures a wonderful variation.

We all naturally possess a host of subtle variable combinations of strengths and weaknesses, and even a focused effort to eradicate our areas of need will only go so far. That translates into each and every education worker bringing a smorgasbord of benefits to the fight to "stamp out the seeds of ignorance." That's what makes the education system so awesome! There's something for everyone! More importantly, there's a SOMEONE for everyone! The conundrum of education, IMHO, continues to be that learning is an individual thing requiring a wide assortment of "trail guides" whose job is to provide guidance and wisdom in the hopes of facilitating said learning. As much as I hate to admit it, no one can learn for another. Being an educator is more guide+cheerleader+counsellor in support of the quest of a young mind as it seeks to understand, to investigate, to assimilate and to master a wide variety of skills and competencies. Should that mind be closed to the aforementioned quest, it falls on the educator to do all possible to convince that mind otherwise. 

Educators have to be willing accept the role of cheerleader, figurative pom-poms included, to open a crack in the self-protective armour that so many young minds arrive in our learning spaces with, to begin the germination of a relationship designed solely to increase the likelihood that learning will be embraced. That requires a special person, and not all are cut out for it, which is why I will hold the opinion that it is a calling. I'm not in a Fan Club of one in that mindset, I can guarantee you of that, and you don't have to believe me. 

Here's a TED Talk about educators. It's a little long but TOTALLY worth the investment.

As Ranger Nick points out, there are educators in all of our lives who CARE ... 
C ... celebrate mistakes
A ... appreciate differences
R ... relay feedback
E ... evaluate themselves

I would challenge you to open your heart, put yourself out there just a little bit more, and show some appreciation to the education workers that are and have been in your life with simple messages of support throughout the year, acknowledging the positive things that he/she has gifted you through your interaction. I guarantee it will make a difference to them, but what you may find out, is it will make a difference to you.

And maybe, just maybe, you'll be the tipping point for a great educator's choice to either stay in the profession despite the incredible stresses amidst both a Covid-19 and teacher bashing pandemic, or for a great educator's decision to accept the call to action ... to join the cause in helping shape the next generation.

I'm going public ... I will make the effort to send messages of support to my friends and acquaintances still toiling in the trenches. Lord knows they need some LUV'in!