It’s Teacher Appreciation Week — Celebrate a Teacher!

Each person has a favorite teacher from the years spent in school. A favorite teacher is fondly remembered because of the unforgettable impact he/she had on one’s life. The reasons are varied and plentiful. Maybe the unforgettable teacher was extra kind, maybe they were extra patient; maybe the teacher made learning fun; or maybe he/she opened one’s mind to love learning. Most people have a specific reason that their favorite teacher left an enduring mark on their lives.

This year’s Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10. This celebration dates back to 1953, when first lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to establish a specific day to recognize teachers.

But it took several more years to have a nationally recognized day of appreciation. The first National Teacher Appreciation Day was March 7, 1980, but in 1984, it was moved to May and was eventually expanded to naming the entire first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.

The teachers at New London School District are some of the best and certainly deserve a week of celebration. They are always striving to be the best teachers they can be. They work at planning experiences that teach and enrich their students’ lives both in and out of the classroom. Having been a co-worker with several of them, I’ve seen firsthand their dedication.

Some of the annual “extras” that they provide include special days at Clark Elementary where each grade boards the bus and has a day of learning and fun out of the classroom. The fourth grade just returned from their day in Des Moines at the Iowa State Capitol. Upcoming is the 50+ year for the sixth grade camp out, thanks to teacher Bob Wehrle’s “great idea.” The eighth grade has a class trip to St. Louis. There are trips to honor band and vocal music in the high school and career days, community days, and the list of innovative experiences goes on and on.

So as the parents and grandparents of New London students, take time to say “thank you” to a teacher or two, and let them know that their varied efforts to give our students unforgettable days at school are so appreciated!