In my opinion (and I believe most people would agree), teachers are the most underappreciated and underpaid in today’s career field.
But the most important.
Most people point out that they are off during the summer months, but are they really? They stay in school after they let out for summer and go right back before the next session begins. Most probably take additional classes to get certifications that they do not have time to obtain during the school year. Some probably work in their classrooms to ensure our kids have an interesting and unique learning experience. A few work summer school because they cannot afford to go on a fancy vacation with just their yearly salary alone.
And some wonder why there is a teacher shortage across America?
It is because they work as hard as they do with shit pay and the highest expectations.
They are the ones in the classroom with our children every single day attempting to instill a decent education and teach them skills so that our children can go out and make a difference in the community and in some instances the world.
I can promise you almost every successful person on the planet can refer to a teacher that inspired them to do what they do. I can name many that inspired me in different ways, but each one of them definitely made an impact and shaped me into the person I am today.
The first that comes to mind, Mrs. Waites – my third-grade teacher. She was the biggest support system at that age. She always encouraged me and pushed me past my limits. She took the time to really get to know me and my interests and set me up for success even at such an early age. She noticed my interest in writing and still follows my work and sends encouragement every now and then.
Second, Mrs. Timmons – my middle school science teacher and cheer coach. She wasn’t the most liked, but she was the most controversial teacher at the school. She was the one that taught me not to worry about what others think about me. To keep my head down and focus on myself and what I could control. She also inadvertently taught me not to form opinions about people based on others input, but to take the time to learn about a person myself.
Third, Coach Cooper – my high school geometry teacher and softball coach. He not only taught me the Pythagorean Theorem (which I am still hoping to use one day), he also taught me self-discipline. To always work harder than the person next to you and to show up even on the days you really just do not want to.
Fourth, Coach (now Principal) Finley – my high school American History teacher. He really is responsible for my love and appreciation for history. He made learning fun and was always one to joke around and come up with cool and interesting ways to keep us focused. I may have majored in journalism, but I think I had more history credits than anything else.
Lastly, Mrs. Ramsey – my high school English teacher. She was never short on praise, but on the other hand she was never short on criticism. When you did a good job, she let you know, but when you did not, she also let you know. I always loved writing, but I do not think it was until I took her class that I realized I wanted to make a career out of it. I loved her passion for teaching and always left her class feeling inspired.
Teachers are the backbone of our society and its future. So, let’s rally behind them every chance we get and never miss an opportunity to help out or show them just how important they truly are.
(Paige Gurgainers is a mother of three girls, publisher of Bienville Parish Journal and Claiborne Parish Journal and a digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)
