It’s Teacher Appreciation Week!

Help educators know just how appreciated they are by sharing a message on social media, tagging @NEAToday, and using #ThankATeacher. 

Here’s what people are saying now.

I have worked with preschool teachers who have used their own money to purchase supplies, food, holiday gifts, clothing and coats to help students and families in need. These teachers build trust and respect for their fellow human beings.
Sharon S., Teacher

Ms. McFarlin is a math teacher, or should I say a magician in the math world. This teacher goes up and above her expectations and is an example to help other students to succeed.
Lisa W., Public School Supporter

My colleague, Mrs. Huda, is an exceptional teacher. She not only listens to student concerns but also takes the time to truly understand their needs. Her compassion and dedication to her students are truly commendable, and we are incredibly grateful for all that she does.
Moneera K., Education Support Professional

Latricia Grayson is the music teacher at my son’s school. She is an amazing teacher. She encourages her students to do their best and helps them do that. She takes them to competitions during the school week and on weekends. She also takes them to events to inspire them to be better musicians. 
Judy K., Public School Supporter

I’m the Reading Specialist here at the Akiachak School, in a Yup’ik village in Alaska. I work with third and fourth grade students. They came out of Yup’ik immersion classrooms from preschool to second grade. I have a grueling reading intervention schedule for both grades. I’m always in need of resources for my students. I can teach till I drop but I can’t do magic. But I love to teach and listen to them read.
Evelyn E., Education Support Professional

Mr. Nick Brown is an educator at Waller Williams Environmental School in Louisville, Kentucky. This school is for children with disabilities/behavioral issues. Mr. Nick always goes above and beyond for the students entrusted to him. Whether it is food they need, eyeglasses, a ride home when they are too emotional to ride the bus, or just some comforting words to calm them down, Mr. Nick always steps up for his students. 
Pamela R., Public School Supporter

I had a teacher that I really liked. She never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. Her name was Mrs. Topping. She was an English teacher. I couldn't wait to go to her class at the end of the day. She would ask us to write compositions and summaries. And you had to write down your own thoughts and feelings. And when we read books, we would discuss how we felt about the plot and the characters. She made you think, and she was interested in you as a person. I'm thankful for everything she taught me. I will never forget her kindness and patience. Thank you so much Mrs. Topping.
Simone H., Public School Supporter

Mrs. Marina Witty is a Multi-Language Learner Teacher at Magnolia Middle School, W.R. Brown Elementary School and John S. Charlton School in the Caesar Rodney School District in Delaware. Mrs. Witty is a vital educator connecting our immigrant students to our school community. Mrs. Witty pours into her students love, care and compassion. She helps transition students in their new world of education and aids them in adapting to their new surroundings but also celebrates her students’ own culture and heritage. She believes in all her students and knows that they can thrive to be the best they can be. Mrs. Witty also teaches immigrant parents English in the evenings, bridging the gap for the whole family. The Caesar Rodney School community is beyond grateful for Mrs. Marina Witty and thank her every day for changing the lives of many.
Sinead R., Education Support Professional

Mr. Jack Lee at Park Elementary in Hayward California is an amazing physical education teacher. He teaches by example. He participates in the lessons to demonstrate and make it fun to learn. Mr. Lee even selflessly uses his woodcraft skills to make benches and garden beds on his own time. He makes wooden personalized gifts for the well-behaved learners who positively contribute to the class dynamics all year. He spends countless hours to produce a graphic collage of all the graduating sixth graders, going beyond classroom duties with his talent as a graphic artist. 
Susan W., Retired Educator

Tamara Dotson is an amazing educator. Everyone loves her passion and dedication to education, teaching, tutoring, mentoring, and building relationships with her students. She views education as an amazing privilege for everyone involved and I feel she contributes to students lives and to the community as a whole. She is always willing to tackle challenges on her own with a positive mindset because she pushes herself in the right direction. Tamara always remembers her students’ birthdays, building relationships with them even if their behavior may not always be the best. She goes to work ready to educate, spread love, and support other educators as well. She is going back to school to teach Special Education, which is a big deal and a very unique pathway and I am proud of her. The best educator and coolest person I know is Tamara Dotson and she deserves all the brownie points!
Sean D., Public School Supporter

I had a great high school teacher named Mr. Herbert Kennedy at Skyline high school in Oakland, California. In the 10th grade, I was selected to meet the great writer, Alex Haley, after turning in my book report on the novel Roots. I remember that moment, making me feel that I had accomplished something academically for the first time in my life. I had done other things, but that was my first moment at 14-years-old where I felt the sense of accomplishment. Having been a teacher for 30 years, I am so thankful for the honor to be an educator. 
Darryl M., Teacher

I had an amazing teacher when I was in the fifth grade. Her name was Miss Patty Effinger, and she basically changed my life and my perspective on teachers. She was one of the few Black teachers at the school, which was in Moreno Valley, California. She took the time with me; she actually saw me -- the first time anybody had even noticed me in a classroom. 
Ashleigh D., Public School Supporter

I have had so many amazing educators in my life. In third grade, Mrs. Rosenberg hooked me on reading, and the next year, Mrs. Jaeger kept me supplied with constant book recommendations. My high school English teachers invited me to be part of the teacher interview process and pushed my writing voice and confidence to greater lengths. Mr. Kazmarek helped me decide which university to attend and made sure I felt confident that I belonged there. My art teachers, orchestra teachers, science teachers and so many more along the way gave up many extra hours to nurture so many of us. It has been disheartening to watch them suffer their cruel anti-teacher rhetoric and Act-10 in Wisconsin. However, 15 years later, I am not one of the many educators who left a difficult profession because I’ve also been surrounded by so many strong, supportive educators in my career. They taught me how to make sure I ate a lunch, how to prioritize my focus in lesson plans, how to provide effective feedback and how to grow into a student and teacher advocate through the union.
Kathleen M., Teacher