In 1985, the National Education Association’s designation of the first full week of May as National Teacher Appreciation Week represented, simultaneously, a calendar shift and expansion of a joint resolution of the 81st Congress 32 years earlier to recognize “the first Tuesday of March of each year as National Teachers Day.” In appealing to legislators for its establishment, Eleanor Roosevelt observed that “teachers are, of course, among the most important people in our nation.” I could not agree more, and I regretted last Friday that the conclusion of Teacher Appreciation Week overlapped with my travel schedule and thus found me unavailable to celebrate our MICDS teachers in the Weekly News. Belatedly, but happily, I will take the opportunity to do so now.
Knowing that our students and Parents Association provided numerous tributes and expressions of gratitude to our faculty throughout last week, I thought that this week, if only to be thorough, I should solicit our teachers themselves for expressions of gratitude—for words of appreciation for each other and for our school. To this end, I created a one-question form, called it “Appreciated teacher appreciations,” embedded a link to it in an all-faculty email, and hit “send.” I received scores of submissions in return, from which, for sake of brevity, I have randomly selected a single score’s worth to share with you here. (We should count things in scores more often, don’t you think? For example, I am two-score-and-13 years old. I feel younger already.) I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.
- « I am incredibly thankful and grateful to my colleagues. I get to collaborate with talented, passionate, and supportive people. » (Summer Beasley, Middle School)
- « I am grateful for our Housekeeping staff. » (Anonymous, Upper School)
- « I appreciate my colleagues. They are a tremendous group of professionals who help with a variety of issues and concerns. They are a joy to work with and are constantly helping me improve as a teacher and coach. » (Brian Coco, Upper School)
- « I am grateful for the MICDS community. As a newcomer, there have been many firsts, and the learning curve is great, but I have been surrounded by colleagues who have looked out for me, onboarded me, and provided me with the ability to succeed. I appreciate the professional environment and the way teachers care deeply about their subjects and the students they teach. » (Melanie Duffy, Upper School)
- « I am grateful that I can count on the love and support of my colleagues when life throws unexpected challenges my way. » (Donna Waters, Lower School)
- « I am grateful for all of the collaboration in the P.E. Department. Everyone is willing to lend a helping hand. » (Nick Menneke, Middle School)
- « I have really enjoyed working collaboratively with staff from all divisions. I have had such wonderful opportunities to grow as an educator here at MICDS. » (Liz Crowder, Lower School)
- « I appreciate my department colleagues, who have brilliant ideas, recommendations, and insights. They are always willing to lend an ear and brainstorm, and I am a better teacher and colleague because of them. They are a huge reason why I love working at MICDS. » (Anonymous, Upper School)
- « I very much appreciate Julie Wilson and the entire FLIK team for preparing delicious and healthy meals for everyone! These professionals are so kind, patient, and talented. » (Robin Begley, Upper School)
- « I am grateful to have witnessed some of my advisees becoming more confident this year. I treasure the relationships I was able to establish with them to help them feel comfortable. » (Anonymous, Middle School)
- « Thanks to my students and colleagues at MICDS, I am finishing my first year as a better, stronger teacher and, more importantly, human being. I have so much to look forward to in Year Two! » (D’Antay Mayes, Middle School)
- « I am grateful for the opportunity to learn with and from amazing colleagues. » (Anonymous, Upper School)
- « I am grateful to be part of a grade-level team that continually thinks about how to put students first and support them to promote growth. I am also grateful for the support of our administrators. » (Anonymous, Middle School)
- « I am grateful to work with such incredible colleagues who are steadfastly supportive of one another and united in our goal to be student-centered! » (Anonymous, Middle School)
- « Watching my students become comfortable in the water, more confident in their abilities, and willing to believe in themselves is a privilege. I am reminded often while watching them improve that I am a part of something life-changing, and that is such an honor. I am very blessed to be able to do this work! » (Khannie Dastgah, Lower and Middle Schools)
- « It’s been amazing collaborating with Sarah Elliott-Vandiver on a course (Spanish 400) that I’ve taught in the past. It’s refreshing to have a new perspective, and she really has a knack for going deeper into cultural information and creating a thoughtful sequence of lessons. » (Kelly Weidenmiller, Upper School)
- « Making music every day with our Lower School musicians brings me such joy! Magical moments abound when we sing, dance, play, and create together. The possibilities for learning about and through music are endless. I love it! » (Katy Nichols, Lower School)
- « I was asked this same question [about gratitude] by Union Avenue Opera, where I design scenery and lighting, as part of a publicity campaign they’re doing for this summer’s season. I’ll paraphrase that response, because I feel the same way about my work at MICDS: I love that the team at MICDS is so mission-based. We’re all working together for an outcome in which everyone (especially the student) wins! » (Patrick Huber, Upper School)
- « I love to teach and interact with my students and my wonderful colleagues. I am so grateful to know each of my students for many years. » (Anonymous, Lower School)
- « I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach my Black Girl Magic cultural competency class one more time. I appreciate how excited and engaged my colleagues have been to learn and apply the information to our work with students. » (Celeste Prince, Upper School)
We are very fortunate for our teachers at MICDS, and they are fortunate for each other. What a wonderful school is ours together.
Always reason, always compassion, always courage. Best wishes to you and your families, and happy graduation weekend to the Class of 2024!
Jay Rainey
Head of School
This week’s addition to the “Refrains for Rams” playlist: Hope by Vampire Weekend (Apple Music / Spotify)