Extol August-September 2018 | Page 105

COLUMN on the first day. feel safe and comforted. Thank you for being especially understanding when we forget things, even though you reminded us using several different forms of communication. Thank you for working so incredibly hard. I know your work day doesn’t only start and end with the ringing of the school bell. I know teachers are under a tremendous amount of pressure and the daily demands of your job are intense. Balancing the overwhelming load all teachers carry and managing to still be patient and kind to your students is remarkable. Thank you for helping our children learn what they need to excel and prepare for the next grade. I know you have a classroom full of children with vastly different learning styles, abilities, and challenges. I can imagine that in itself is an incredible challenge that changes every year. The fact that you conquer those challenges and make it look so effortless is amazing. Thank you for protecting our children while they’re not under our supervision. Keeping an entire classroom of children safe is an incredible feat that comes with impeccable diligence. I know among all your other many responsibilities, teachers look for signs of trouble to ensure children are safe both inside and outside of school. When our children see your face, they THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT IT’S A LITTLE HARD AND SHOWING US KINDNESS AND EMPATHY INSTEAD OF SAYING, “MY GOD, WOMAN. HE’S NOT A BABY. HE’S ALMOST AS TALL AS YOU AND CAN EAT AN 8 OUNCE STEAK.” Just as you make your students feel comforted and safe, I feel confident in your incredible abilities and fully trust you to take care of the most precious and loved part of myself. I can never say thank you enough. It truly takes a special person to shape little minds, and I feel very grateful my child has you. Please enter the year knowing that what you do every day matters. You change little lives and the impact lasts a lifetime. Thank you, teachers. Have a great year!