Louisa Joyce

Staff Writer

You have probably heard stories of students bringing an apple to class for their teacher. They walk into the classroom holding the big bright red apple and place it gently on the teacher’s desk. But why do they do this? The answer is simply a token of appreciation. Teachers have built up our educational systems and have set up students for future success. With having this much of an impact on our lives, the importance of showing gratitude and appreciation to the teachers that you have needs to be implemented more.

Teachers, who are often overqualified and under-compensated for having one of the lowest paying jobs in the U.S. deserve to be rewarded.

“We’re not in it for the money because teachers make very, very little money for the amount of work that we do,” English teacher Ms. Elizabeth Whitener said.“So to hear from our students and to hear from parents or other admin, it’s always really, really nice to feel appreciated in that way.”

Expressing our gratitude for the importance of who teachers, is what keeps them staying in their school system.

“It’s a thankless job and we all kind of know that that’s what the expectation is,” said Chemistry teacher Mr. Thomas Marino. “We are humans and we do enjoy some recognition for our hard work. The feeling that we’re being appreciated, and seeing some appreciation coming back to us, fills up our cups in the ability for us to then give it to other people. It’s a long line of helping other people if we feel that we are appreciated.”

Students’ point of view on teacher appreciation, is up to their discretion, whether it be a simple thank you gesture or even a note. .

“Those who form those kinds of bonds and relationships with their teachers tend to appreciate their teacher a little bit more than those who just come to the class for grades or just because they have to.” Marino said.

Though not all students are willing to dedicate time,, we can aid in the effort by holding some students accountable.

“It’s not like they don’t show appreciation,” Whitner said. “I think we often assume that teachers are being thanked for what they do or that other people are showing it too. For the most part, most students are very willing”.

Showing appreciation more generally and frequently can also change the dynamic of the classroom and create a better learning environment.

“If more than one student remembered to show some sort of appreciation, or even wrote a card or a note or something, it makes the teacher remember the reason we’re doing what we do for them to create a better and stronger environment allowing us to relate to our students,” Whitner said.

However, it’s more challenging than it seems.To automatically form such a perfect space in the classroom is hard, especially if students need to be appreciated as well.

“I think it would be great if teachers felt appreciated more, I do think that would help, ” said Mr. Justin Harvey, Social Studies teacher. “Though the reverse is also true: teachers can appreciate students. For teachers to get that appreciation, there has to be that reciprocal giving. I don’t think that merely having students go to class and just thank all their teachers would, on its own, improve [anything.] I think as long as the teachers are also showing appreciation for the work that the students do and the people that the students are, that could then build that.”

Considering that RJR is such a densly populated high school, it sometimes makes it difficult to have these relationships with students who would want to show them appreciation.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges that I think we face, especially as class sizes grow and so as a teacher when you have 35 students in a classroom,” Harvey said.It’s not always easy to make those connections with every single student. But, I think that’s sort of the job that teachers have, to teach the content but try their best to connect with each student, and that’s going to look different because some students want to connect and engage more than others.”

By highlighting more teacher and student appreciation, we could have better compliance in the fixed negative relationship between kids and school, where it’s not such a dred to come every day. Ironically it’s all going to have to start with the bigger person : the teacher.

“You got to look at the teacher because we are adults, it’s got to start with us,”Marino said.“It’s got to start with being out in the hall reading our students. It starts with us, you know, being there and wanting to go the extra mile for our kids. I can stand outside and say, ‘Hello, good morning’ to you as much as I want, but if you don’t want to be here, and you don’t want to engage, you know, that’s that’s your choice. We can’t make you do something you don’t want to do.”

Even if it’s not teacher appreciation week at your school, these teachers don’t expect much, nonetheless besides more thank yous or even cards as they are more impactful.

“No teacher is going to be disappointed by a small gift,” Harvey said. “Most teachers, a lot of my colleagues, we all have a box or a drawer or something where we keep notes that students have written us, especially the ones that are heartfelt, that means something. I would much rather get a personal note from a student that’s telling me directly why they’re grateful for what I’ve done for them. That’s going to last me longer than a $5 gift card to Starbucks that I’m going to use to buy one drink. A note though, like a heartfelt note, is much better. Or even in person.”

This holiday season, show your teachers more appreciation as they are trying their best for you. It’s important to build positive relationships with teachers as it’s most beneficial for long-term success. So go and show some gratitude to them even if it’s a simple smile back.