Submitted by Dan Quigley, Greenwich
Education is the foundation of any successful, civilized society. At the heart of a good education system are our teachers. They are there on a daily basis to ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge they will need to succeed in life, and they provide their students with the tools they need to embrace the adventures and challenges of a lifetime of learning.
On the advent of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to thank all of our GPS and Independent school teachers for their hard work and dedication to our children. They deserve it now more than ever.
The range of issues confronting our teachers today have made their jobs significantly more complex than ever before. A rise in students with special needs has put additional pressure on our GPS teachers, who must manage the nuanced challenges of each and every different student with equal care. The sickening frequency of school shootings, specific to America has added an increased layer of fear to their workplace environment which years ago never existed. They are no longer expected to simply be our children’s teachers, but also their protectors.
Our teachers have also become unwitting targets in a misguided effort by a vocal minority of our community regarding issues concerning curriculum and teaching methods. This is not specific to Greenwich and has unfortunately gained traction nationally as a political campaign issue. This significantly hinders a teacher’s ability to teach creatively and will stifle classroom debate, not foster it. It can also have a detrimental effect on the learning process. Restricting a teachers latitude to discuss important historical topics, current events, or simply to conduct classroom debates with their students will curtail rather than create learning opportunities.
This comes on the heels of a period where our teachers had to navigate the unparalleled obstacles associated with pandemic learning to do their job to the best of their ability.
Throughout it all, our teachers have been there for us and our children. I urge everyone to think of our teachers this week. Give them thanks when you see them. Contribute to a class gift, or give one of your own. If you run into a former teacher, let them know how they impacted your life. Our teachers work tirelessly to find new ways to inspire our children’s interest in learning and spark their imaginations. They have an outsized impact on our lives, and they deserve our thanks and appreciation.