There was such an outpouring of enthusiasm and gratitude toward the teachers from the parents at Curriculum Night . I felt inspired to write an open letter of appreciation. This was shared last Friday with our teachers but I want it to be known to all how amazing they are.
9.18.2014
Dear Teachers,
We love you, we appreciate you – it is
important to us that you know this.
Over the past few days we have had the
opportunity to meet with many of you for our initial planning conferences. While we were happy to spend time with you
reviewing the evaluation system, answering questions, helping you understand
the process we didn’t get to really talk.
We didn’t have an opportunity thank you for
the challenge of last year or tell you how grateful we were you have joined our
school family for this year. We didn’t
have an authentic opportunity to debate educational philosophy, hear all the
remarkable plans for your students and course.
We, inevitably, were a bit bogged down in the process of the
evaluation.
Trying to be caretaking, trying to help you
feel as comfortable as possible with the process is important. We hope that you understand how seriously we
take this aspect of our work. There is
a place for these types of conversations.
We hope that you also know we recognize the
qualitative nature in the craft of teaching - ones ability extending far beyond
the data of the rubric scores and test grades.
One’s ability to inspire and connect with students. One’s ability engage within a collaborative
culture with collogues and parents.
We know you are extraordinary. To hear the same shared by our families at
the end of Curriculum Night made us feel proud and grateful.
Parents said they left your rooms inspired. They were impressed with the passion and
energy. Parents said they could
understand why their students loved the teachers so much. They could understand what made Lab such a
special place.
This was because of all of you.
Leaving Curriculum Night we felt so inspired
by your work we wanted to write an open letter of appreciation.
We know that the world around us is
constantly changing. We know that the
challenges of being a teacher are ever increasing. We know that prior to a full night of meeting
with our families you spent the entire day with our 600 students. We also know the amount of care you took to
prepare for Curriculum Night. This is
because you are professionals who are committed to this most important work.
Thank you for this.
Thank you for all you do, thank you for
choosing to be a teacher.
