Why We Appreciate Teachers and Why Teachers Appreciate Teaching

"This crisis has proved what we knew already: Teachers are driven by a mission to make our children not just smart, but also good-hearted."

By Melissa Wickes May 11, 2020

With the entire country shifting to homeschooling, parents everywhere are taking the time to recognize the hard work and dedication teachers put in everyday throughout the school year to encourage learning, facilitate social development, and be there in all kinds of ways for their students. Now more than ever, the hard work teachers are putting in to maintain some kind of normalcy in schooling throughout a very not-normal time, whether it’s with daily Zoom lessons, in-depth lesson plans for parents to follow, or comprehensive schedules, is immensely appreciated. To show our thanks during Teacher Appreciation Week, which falls on the first week of May every year, we asked parents throughout the New York area what they appreciate most about teachers now more than ever. We also asked teachers what they miss most about teaching their students in person.

Parents, what do you appreciate about teachers now more than ever?

“What I appreciate the most about my kids' teachers now more than ever is how caring and loving they have been ever since remote learning has been implemented. Not all kids are made the same and I absolutely love how hard they are working to keep every child involved and feel recognized! This is exactly where and how you can see the passion with which they do their job and we feel very blessed and thankful!” — Pratima, Upper East Side Mom

“Their patience! As I think all parents have probably learned over the last few weeks and months, kids aren’t always in the mood for learning. Having the patience to work through the ups and downs and help them through the harder parts is a virtue. And to do it with 20+ kids all at once is practically a miracle. Thanks to all the teachers out there. Now and always.” — Lauren, Dix Hills Mom

“Kindergarten is such a hard grade to translate to remote learning. Our teachers have guided us into their worlds while also encouraging these young students to not lose their independence. Above and beyond with advice and encouragement, these teachers empower not only our children but our entire families. We appreciate their efforts and love that have always done above and beyond!” - Serena, Mineola Mom

“We always knew teachers worked hard, but now more than ever we can tell they truly do care about our kids and the daily feedback is appreciated by more than just the parents.” — Elliot Kloper, Upper East Side Dad

“The fact that they can keep our kids stimulated, happy, and interested for over 6 hours a day!” — Joelle Obsatz, Upper East Side Mom

“[My son’s] teachers are so accessible and not just for clarification on assignments, but also to talk about his strengths and challenges. They reach out, follow up, and show a deep concern for every student.” - Steve, Cobble Hill Dad

“I appreciate that my kids’ teachers are doing everything they can to make our kids independent learners. With busy work schedules, we were worried about how we will manage homeschooling. But our kid’s teachers have kept the deliverables and instructions simple and clear and have in turn helped not just the kids but also us parents cope in these uncertain times.” - Vinay, Suffern Dad

“The personalized attention they provide virtually as well as their calmness in this uncertain environment” - Lori, Upper West Side Mom

“I appreciate their patience more than ever! When I’m losing it left and right, my children’s teachers somehow keep their cool. As a result my kids are still really learning things, and they really really miss their teachers because mom is not cutting it.” — Emily Benson, Upper West Side Mom

"I definitely have a newfound appreciation for our teachers. They make learning fun and engaging, which is a talent, but also a result of years of training, They're the true pros! I wish I had their enthusiasm and patience when I try to make my daughter catch up on her overdue assignments." — Fran, New Rochelle Mom

"This crisis has proved what we knew already: that teachers are driven by a mission to make our children not just smart, but also good-hearted." — Brian, Upper East Side Dad

"Teachers have the patience of saints and deserve tremendous praise for engaging our children long enough to get through common core lesson plan." — Kira, Sheepshead Bay Mom

Teachers, what do you miss most about teaching in person?

“I miss physically seeing my students. Knowing that they are ok, and being able to give them a wink or a smile to let them know everything is going to be ok.” —Christine Restivo Hogg, IEP teacher, IS77Q Ridgewood

"I miss our comfy and cozy read alouds and the insightful comments students would share about the characters and the story that would make my co-teacher and I sigh with awe and wonderment." —Eleni, kindergarten teacher at PS158, Upper East Side

"What I miss most about in person teaching is approaching my students more effortlessly when they require assistance or guidance. It’s easy to take for granted a teenager’s ability to communicate. Students say a lot through their body language—just on an academic level, they put their head down because they’re disengaged, scrunch their faces if they’re confused, or raise their hand when they have a question. Body language cues offer more opportunities for communication because there is more for me to hone in on and offer whatever help they may need. Online learning is asking a teenager to advocate for themselves and expecting them to communicate things that normally in person we can pick up on by their behavior. It’s more challenging to observe virtually if a student is struggling to complete work for reasons outside of school or simply because they need a voice to clarify instruction. Ultimately, we are able to reach students through calling home, nagging over email and occasionally hunting down a personal cellphone line, but it doesn’t have the same impact and competence as it does in person." — Ms. Tecsy, secondary school Spanish teacher in Brooklyn

“I miss the interactions with the kids… the breaking of each other's chops.. Being part of their lives… and Sopranos deli in Merrick.” —Bill Wickes, geometry teacher at Roosevelt High School

“I miss when a coworker would randomly bake and leave treats in my office. I miss seeing the smiles on my students’ faces. I miss going off script and creating teachable moments. I miss seeing the students interact with each other and watching friendships form. I miss seeing the lightbulb go off when a student understood something. I miss being the person my students would go to if they need help or someone to talk to. I miss when a student would accidentally call me mom. And I miss being told ‘good morning’ 20+ times a day everyday.” — Brooke Poznak, classroom teacher/ special education P094M @ PS281 The Spectrum School

“Teaching students with autism, a lot of our time is spent developing social skills. I miss supporting my students in engaging with their peers, a skill they were making great progress on in the real classroom.” —Laurelle Evangelista, special education teacher, P255Q, Queens

“I miss the energy of teenagers, from running in the halls to get to class on time, to the laughter in the cafeteria, to the sleepy smiles 1st period, to the TikTok dance challenges all day long, to the overall enthusiasm our students have for their school.” —Julia Roldan, ENL teacher at New Hyde Park Memorial High School

"I miss those moments when a concept finally clicks and a student is able to confidently move to the next challenge. On a personal level, this is a time of year that students are finding out about college acceptances and sharing their good news with you. I miss feeling that somehow I had a hand in their attainment of that goal. As for the daily routine, I do miss the humorous give and take."—Leonard Randazzo, precalculus and statistics teacher at Roosevelt High School

“Over these past few months there is plenty I miss about being in school with the kids. I miss seeing peer on peer action as the children work together collaboratively with each other and I can step back and watch their creativity unfold. I also really miss how nurturing we are in the classroom and watching the children light up with smiles and amazement as they discover the world.” —Eric, nursery school teacher at Shaaray Tefila Nursery School

“There’s so much I miss, where do I begin? I miss the social interactions—saying good morning, smiling and waving at students I have, students I’ve had before, and ones I’ve never had. I miss knowing that someone needs extra support on any given day by a simple expression on their face. I miss giving them that support that they didn’t even know they needed. I miss eye rolls when I say something cheesy and groans when I say ‘take out your notebooks.’ I miss celebrations for any and ALL reasons.” —Julia Cashman, AP calculus teacher, The Wheatley School

"I miss our dance parties. We would have a dance party every day, whether it was random or planned, and it was this beautiful time of expression. I almost cried on that last day of school in March, just watching all those five year olds move and groove and not knowing when I would get to dance with them in person again. For now, virtual dance parties are a must!"—Danielle, kindergarten teacher at PS158

"I miss the laughter, hugs, smiles and getting to watch the light bulbs spark as students each have their 'aha!' moments!" - Suzana Fernandes Silva, first grade teacher