Creating a Vibrant Education Together
Teacher/staff Appreciation Week, February 10 to 16, is a way to recognize and celebrate the valuable work of all teachers and staff in Saskatchewan’s schools. It is a way for parents and community to show support and recognize all teachers and staff for their contributions to student success.
This year’s theme, Creating a Vibrant Education Together, recognizes the reciprocal relationship that influences equitable educational outcomes for students and educators alike. Teachers, students, parents, and community members, working together, each with their respective responsibilities, produce a quality educational teaching and learning program. Partnerships among our schools, homes and communities contribute to a safe, success-oriented and stimulating environment. A positive interaction between all partners creates a relationship that makes the difference to both students and professionals; it creates a richer learning environment.
A strong interaction among partners creates a vibrant learning school community. Patient, hard-working, dedicated and understanding professionals mold our children’s lives in a positive direction. Students supported by parents and community are eager to participate, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and often initiate additional learning opportunities specific to their personal interests and abilities. Supportive parents and community understand and are knowledgeable about school expectations and procedures.
Every day throughout the year, teachers and staff working with students in schools across this province impart knowledge, learning experiences, and the awe of discovery, earning them respect, recognition and appreciation for what they do. By recognizing their abilities, skills and strengths and by showing our appreciation for the guidance, commitment, time and energy they give each day, we help build a collaborative partnership that leads to a vibrant educational system that ultimately benefits all students.
We need to recognize and appreciate the many teachers, staff members, mentors and other adults who take the time to give students the knowledge and learning experiences that make them successful. Every school year goes by so quickly in our children’s lives, and suddenly they are young adults working, advancing their education, or becoming parents, too.
We need to say thank you to teachers, staff, and mentors more often throughout the year. Teacher/ Staff Appreciation Week is just one week of the year that we need to say thank you in a special way and with special activities.
- Joy Bastness is a director with the Saskatchewan Association of School Councils, a non-profit volunteer organization that contributes to the learning success and well-being of students within their school and community.