Teacher Appreciation Week

Today marks the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week.  I have fond memories of the teachers who taught me K-12.  I can recall each one by name, see their faces, and think of something about them or their class.  Some, I still see from time to time.

I can remember many teachers with whom my mom taught for 30 years.  Well, I didn't come along until year 8 or so.  :-) 

I had many fabulous, memory worthy college professors; some I still speak to today. 

I met some great educators while working at a museum in high school and college.

I had an amazing student teaching experience, so my student teacher teacher holds a special place in my heart.

I have worked with some amazing teachers and administrators over the last 16 years.  Some I feel are like family.

All of these people have left an impression on me, and I thank them for all they have done for their students and for me.

I know what teachers do.  I know how hard their jobs are.  It is easy for non-educators to think teaching is so easy or they get holidays and summers off, but the job is so much more than that.  Teachers make thousands of decisions a day, impact children (positively and/or negatively), teach state mandated objectives, and so much more.  Teachers are educators, mothers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, coaches, caregivers, judges, managers, supervisors, facilitators, behaviorists, scientists, historians, readers, librarians, writers, mathematicians, heroes, comforters, leaders, inspiration, explorers, collaborators, counselors, and more . . .

Has a teacher left a lasting impression on you?

Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day

Today, I want to thank my co-leader for all she does for our troop of girls and me.  Without her, our girls would not learn the skills, have the fun, or enjoy the experiences they do.

In 2008, we began our troop to give her daughter and my niece the Girl Scout experiences we loved as girls and to help develop lifelong friendships like we have with girls from our childhood troops. We have welcomed many girls over the years, said, "Good-bye," to a few too, and changed to a multilevel troop to give those same experiences to younger siblings and friends. Leading a troop is so much more than we could have imagined.

Thank you, my dearest friend and co-leader, for all you have done to support me. I met you through school and Girl Scouts many years ago.  We have experienced many ups and downs over the years, and I look forward to all the experiences we have yet to have.

You truly are a . . .

 

I also want to thank all the leaders who influenced me.  These ladies gave of their time and energy, not knowing much about Girl Scouting themselves, to teach us lifelong skills and give us experiences to develop us as the leaders we have become, not only in Girl Scouts but in all we do.