Appreciate teachers in your life

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-14

Teachers work hard but are not always shown the appreciation they deserve. National Teacher Week is an opportunity for students to show appreciation for the positive impacts their teachers have had on their lives. Many of them create interesting learning environments and are constantly encouraging students to do well.

National Teacher Day originated in 1980 when Congress declared March 7 as a day to honor teachers and their contributions to society. It continued to be observed on the first Tuesday in March until 1985, when the National Parent Teacher Association declared the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-14.

“I think it’s great that teachers are being recognized,” said Emily Kulbacki, philosophy professor at Pierce. “All teaching professionals are so important to our society and so fundamental to the growth and development of so many people. One of my favorite quotes is one from Nelson Mandela: ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ ”

Kulbacki said one of the reasons she became a teacher was because of her teachers who had powerful and positive impacts on her life. “Their ability to make learning exciting and to show me new ways of looking at the world and at myself convinced me that this was important work. I felt that the best way to repay all those who changed my life was to ‘pay it forward’ by teaching philosophy”, she said.

David Lippman, one of math instructors gets excited when he sees students put a lot of work in studying math. “During my time at Pierce I created WAMAP (a program used in some of the math classes) and have helped write several free textbooks. Both of these were done to help reduce the cost of education for students”, said Lippman.

The best experience Lippman has ever had while teaching at Pierce is when he was working with Japanese student. “It was great to work with her and help her realize that she was really had a strong talent for math”, said Lippman. That student had not taken math courses in Japan, but with his help she was abe to grow in her math skills and is transferring to a science major.

One way for students to show appreciation to their teachers is simply by stopping by to thank them or to share how their learning has affected their lives. “I don’t know that I have one (experience) that stands out above all the rest but I do know that the best experiences, those that I remember most and those that I really cherish are when students or former students email me or stop by my office to tell me how they are using philosophy outside of the classroom,” said Kulbacki.

Another way for students to show appreciation to their teachers is by sending them a gratitude card or an email. “My best experience is when they contacted me to let me know that they got a job offer and I can’t get a word in to say congratulations to them.”, said Dollores Kelley, a professor of construction management.

And of course there is always social media, such as Facebook and Instagram. Students can post photos or quotes related to their education, adding the hashtag #ThankATeacher, #NationalTeachersDay or #TeacherAppreciationDay.

For Kelley, Teacher’s Week is a good way to remember to thank teachers. “As a student, they should thank teachers more often through e-mail, phone call or just text by saying ‘Hi’”, said Dolores.

“Right now there are hundreds of teachers at Pierce College  mentoring, inspiring, advising, and engaging students. It’s exciting to think of all the positive changes being cultivated right here, right now,” said Kulbacki.

Teachers impact everybody since they are social agents of change for future generation. “I think it is fantastic to celebrate Teacher’s Week. Teachers prepare their students to become the next generation of leaders.”, said Kelley.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

-Nelson Mandela