Comments on: In Defense of Teacher Appreciation Week

By: Amysilverman

Amysilverman — Tue, 19 May 2015 16:52:29 +0000

Thank you Trish — and Mike. “Be a happy giver.” The best.

By: KimAZ

KimAZ — Sun, 10 May 2015 15:30:12 +0000

The #1 way parents show me their appreciation is by parenting. Thank you for loving and teaching your girls. You make an enormous difference in the lives of teachers by truly raising your kids.

By: teeps

teeps — Fri, 08 May 2015 05:15:44 +0000

I’m a high school teacher, and this week we’ve been showered with gifts from the parent club, the teachers association, and student government. I love that the student government kids personally deliver the gifts — a portable phone charger with our mascot on it among them! But the best thanks happen just like in life — spontaneously and/or out of the blue during any old week of the year. Once a former student contacted me as part of his 12-step amends-making . He did not time his recovery with TAW. Appreciation is always nice — to give and receive — but I do agree that the commodification of appreciation is a little bit like a Facebook birthday wish. I’d rather be honestly forgotten than remembered via bot prompt. Most kids (and parents) DO appreciate and value teachers in tangible ways. The problem is that American society as a whole does not — that TAW even exists proves that. No cookie or gift card can fill the hole left by years of professional disregard and Scott Walker-level contempt. Still, I’m not down with the tone of the “make it stop” blog post for lots of reasons that would only make me sound defensive. I trust that parent does some cause-oriented “appreciating” with her checkbook and the many good grassroots organizations working toward goals like fair testing and restorative justice practices in public schools. My boyfriend has a great saying: “Be a happy giver.”

By: sam

sam — Thu, 07 May 2015 04:41:40 +0000

bravo Amy . .thanks cost us absolutely nothing but they honor a group of people who willingly signed on for this gig . .to love , nurture and hopefully inspire our sons and daughters /. . I say they need and deserve our cheers. . sam

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:56:50 +0000

I have avoided the online volunteer form that our PTA set up years ago. It makes it look like I don’t ever volunteer and totally don’t appreciate my kids’ teachers. I do appreciate most, but will probably wait until the end of the year to give them a parting gift for being amazing for my kids (I would like to give a couple a lump of coal).

Amy, I go to most of the PTA and Site Council meetings and even served was treasurer of one and chair of the other. It’s volleyball games where I am realizing that I’m not allowed to talk to other moms. One I want to slash the tires of because she thinks its funny to tell me that she has to cheer for my kids when she does something good because I’m never paying attention. And then there was the mom I started talking to about school dress codes. That didn’t end well.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:15:59 +0000

Thanks for your honesty, Amy. I admire you too much to unfriend you. I’m sorry you think I’m not open to dissenting opinions. I’m totally open to constructive debate.

You’re right though, I will defend myself by saying that it’s not teachers I am against, it’s obnoxious, pushy room moms and PTA policies. There are teachers I would go to the ends of the earth for, to show my profound gratitude. And I have no problem with anyone else doing the same. But as parents, our relationships with our kids’ teachers are personal, and how we approach those relationships is our own business, in my book.