My plan today is to lift up teachers as we start a new year, but I found that seemingly simple task fraught with issues we wouldn’t have considered just a few decades ago!
Once concerned with reading, writing, and arithmetic our teachers are tasked with safety drills, mental health issues, and online learning measures.
Who knew?
Emporia’s National Teacher’s Hall of Fame even added a National Memorial to Fallen Educators that unfortunately grows annually.
In searching the internet in preparation for lifting up teachers I found the following post. I think you will agree it highlights the depth of the challenges we ask our public school teachers to take on.
It’s a teacher’s note to sent to parents titled HANDLE WITH CARE.
If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, I would like to provide additional support at school. I understand you are not always able to share details and that’s okay. If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning, or weekend, please text me “HANDLE WITH CARE.”
Nothing else will be said or asked. This will let me know if your child may need extra time, patience, or help during the day.
That teacher’s ingenuity is very impressive.
I’ll finish with a short prayer for teachers:
Dear God, Thank you for our dedicated teachers who are willing to give their lives to serve our kids. As this new year starts please help teachers continue to do wonders teaching the “3 R’s” and give them extra help and praise as they work to keep kids safe, mentally, physically, and securely.
Lord, it takes special people to educate our children successfully. Please place your hand on their shoulders and guide them along.
In your Holy Name. Amen.
I’m Steve Sauder
