|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Teachers are globally recognized as cornerstones of society. They help raise our children, mold entire generations and inspire the curiosity that leads to discovery and innovation. Educators are positive influencers who help shape our path to knowledge, our field of study and even our personality.
We can all thank an educator for teaching us to read, write and do arithmetic. However, their involvement goes beyond that. Teachers continue to lift up their students every day and allow them to express their feelings and even their fears. And they encourage, inspire and motivate students to be the artists, musicians and athletes they always aspired to be.
Who doesn’t have a fond memory of that one teacher who inspired them in some way?
During Teacher Appreciation Week, which took place during the week of May 2-8, we had an opportunity to thank these individuals who play such a huge role in our lives. This is a time for honoring educators and recognizing the influential and lasting contributions they make to our lives. The appreciation for dedicated and committed educators was never more evident than when the entire world went on lockdown due to COVID-19 and parents, from all walks of life, suddenly became their own child’s teacher.
Over the past year, our Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) teachers have persevered in challenging times and redefined public education, all while providing students with a stable and secure learning environment. Their ingenuity, resilience and passion have been impressive, especially as we navigated these uncharted waters.
I draw parallels between teachers working with their students to that of healthcare professionals providing care for their patients. Educators have been first responders to each of their students. Not only have they provided academic instruction and guidance; but probably more importantly — they have supported their physical, mental and emotional health. One would argue that without health; one has nothing. And without health, learning cannot take place.
As we face our next challenges — helping students regain any academic progression they may have lost, reconnecting through social interaction, and recalibrating their lives — I am confident that together with our resilient educators, we will continue to find creative solutions, and continue to ensure that our students have access to the high-quality education and the academic success that each and every one of them deserves.
Several years ago, thanks to the vision and leadership of our School Board, M-DCPS launched the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Teachers Campaign to highlight teachers through different themed activities each month. Students, parents, teachers, and community members are invited to show their appreciation for their favorite teacher on social media using templates available on http://respect4teachers.dadeschools.net and to post them online using the hashtag #RESPECT4TeachersMDCPS. During Teacher Appreciation Week or any day of the year, we honor, celebrate and appreciate our beloved teachers.
