Appreciating Teachers
When we gathered in the gym back in September for Back-to-School Night, I asked the audience to think of teachers that had a positive impact on us. It’s probably not a tough question to answer. Most of us can think of a teacher that supported us, made us feel known and needed, or opened a door for us into the wider world. After our families, teachers typically are the first adults we connect with and that we’re entrusted to. We see them as powerful sources of knowledge and wisdom, order and predictability, humor and joy. As we grow up, teachers can inspire us, mentor us, even become our friends. They’re larger than life.
So it is with Torit’s extraordinary faculty. They care for your children, putting tireless effort and boundless energy into their growth and development. They help them learn about independence and how to work in a group. Teachers help them learn to read and write and do mathematics, speak a new language (or three!), make art and create music, and develop self confidence, discipline, and direction. Those are some of the many reasons we honor teachers this coming week.
Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt lobbied Congress in the 1950s to advocate for a day recognizing teachers and, in the 1980s, a day was officially established in their honor. It’s morphed into a week, which is barely enough time to begin to thank teachers for all they do. Your generous donations will allow the parent committee to host two catered breakfasts and two catered lunches, share flowers with each classroom, and give all 40 faculty members a special gift. Thank you so much!
Along with your financial support, Teacher Appreciation Week has been made possible by a parent committee who quickly launched, met, then exceeded expectations for this week’s events: Co-Chairs Shelly Yang and Zhe Gong, and Jie Ling and Ran Xue, as well as key members Jason and Karen Purcell, Melanie and Kyle Brennan, Sharma and Daniel Ross, Sarah and Brett Mitchell, Kathleen Zephir and Ben Helfat, and Valen Zhou and Yao Lu.
In addition to the treats you’re providing, I encourage Torit families to write a personal thank you note to your child’s teachers. Educators often wonder what parents think of their efforts, and a handwritten note outlasts the food and fun of the week. I have several notes that parents shared with me over the years, reminding me why I do this work. Families’ kind words bring smiles to teachers’ faces and make any challenging days worthwhile.