WSET.com - ABC13Thank a Teacher by Pattie Martin

It's hard to believe summer is over and the kids are in school. The other night we went to my son's "back to school night." What I noticed is that most of the children seemed to be pretty happy to be back with their friends and in some sort of a routine. My son was ready to show me all his classroom has to offer.

But that excitement wouldn't be there without amazing teachers who work so hard to make things nice for the students. I think a lot of us see a teacher's schedule as ideal. Who wouldn't love it? Summers off with vacation time throughout the year. What I don't think a lot of people realize is how much work those teachers put into their jobs while their students are relaxing by the pool. They don't walk in the door the day before school starts. They're there weeks in advance setting up their classrooms, assigning desks, putting together lesson plans.

Their day also doesn't end at when the students head home. There are papers to grade and the next day's schedule to work on. Throw in all the pressure they're under to meet state and federal standards and you have a job that I'm positive I could never handle. Not only that, after spending 7 or 8 hours with your children many of them go home to their own families.

My husband says it all the time--teachers simply don't make enough money for all the work they do. Some of the people I remember best from my childhood are teachers who made some sort of an impact..whether it was from something they taught me or just a kind word.

So, the next time you're at the school or your child comes home excited about something they've learned, take a moment to say thank you to their teacher. I'm sure they don't hear those words enough.

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