Two Simple Words…Thank You

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“Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.” ~Author Unknown

Two Simple Words

“Thank You,” two simple words that have extremely powerful potential. Potential to take a terrible day and shed some light on it. Potential to make someone who is spinning their wheels to stop and realize…it IS worth it. Potential to provide that moment of clarity where appreciation truly warms the heart.

The beautiful thing about saying “Thank You” is that it doesn’t mean you are solving problems, or taking over responsibilities, but an acknowledgement and appreciation of efforts put forth. Two simple words to think about…

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week, May 2nd – May 6th, is National Teacher Appreciation Week. As I sat down today to label my ‘Thank You’ York Peppermint Patties, I found myself questioning the ways in which I’ve said “Thank You”. Wondering, do my actions speak louder than my words?

As I stuck label after label on my mints, I thought how odd it is that we need to dedicate a week to appreciate our teachers. As the quote above says,  teachers are the ones who teach all the other professions. That seems like a pretty big job…something that deserves much more appreciation than just a week. Yet, I wonder, have I shown my appreciation enough?

Since I’m questioning it, I’m guessing I haven’t…

Thank You 

I’m an Implementation Specialist in WCSD. Servicing Area 3, Hidden Valley Elementary School, Huffaker Elementary School and mentoring new to position Implementation Specialists. Each of these sites and individuals motivate me to get up each morning, so I want to take a moment to thank them. Though this post won’t split the seas or move mountains, hopefully this appreciation will do 2 things. 1. Give these special people that heart warming moment when they realize their work has made an impact on me and many others. 2, more importantly, you take a moment to think about those notable people who get you out of bed every morning and thank them.

JoEtta, thank you for pushing me each day, week, month and year to consider the bigger picture, yet reminding me that every bad day can be ended by visiting classrooms and students.

Salwa, thank you for your confidence in me and challenging me to not always have a destination in mind, but at least a path.

Robin, thank you for reminding me that it’s all about letting everyone in the car. Relationships matter and if people are happy to come to work, students will be happy too.

Susan, thank you for reminding me the importance of knowing all your students and their stories. You remind me to balance data with faces.

Alisa, thank you for being a role-model. You refine my thinking and provide me with the feedback I need.  I can always trust you to push me, but never hard enough to fall down.  You find interest in my thoughts and challenge me to always consider, “How will it shift thinking.”

Hidden Valley teachers, thank you for inviting me into your classrooms and taking risks with me. You hold me accountable, challenge me, and remind me that sometimes the chocolate basket is all we need (emphasis on “we”).

Huffaker staff, thank you for truly showing me what it means to care for each other. Coming to Reno from AZ, I felt like a lost puppy trying to find a home. You accept and care for me personally and professionally. You listen, ask questions and show me that there is value in family and tradition.

Implementation Specialist’s… thank you for being you! You teach me so many things about myself as well as the profession. Our conversations ground me, keep me in tune with “reality” across several sites, and challenge me. More than anything else, you are there for me as co-workers and friends. Whether it be face-to-face or Bitmoji conversations, I know I can trust each and every one of you as peers and friends. Thank you for always listening and remembering that small things do matter.

This Week and Beyond 

As we head into Teacher Appreciation Week, I challenge myself and others to take a few minutes and say “Thank You” to those you work with, and if you really want to make their day, tell them what you are thankful for. Our teachers are some of the most dedicated individuals in society and while a week of goodies and treats will be appreciated throughout the upcoming week, educators deserve to be recognized, valued, and thanked on a daily basis. 

And if you’re like me, and sitting there thinking how crazy it is to dedicate only a week to Teacher Appreciation,  use it to guide your reflection in regards to who you may need to a take a moment to thank.

Without our teachers administrative staff, secretaries, facilities and support staff, all other professions would be at risk. 

 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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