Dear Editor:
For teachers and staff in our schools, this week is not unlike any other in terms of meeting the everyday challenges that today's increasingly diverse student population brings to our hallways and classrooms.
The difference is that this week - February 10-16 - is designated as Teacher-Staff Appreciation Week, and so it offers an opportunity for primarily parents and other education partners to demonstrate their appreciation for the very work that is perhaps occasionally taken for granted or overlooked.
So if you're a parent, whether actively involved in school activities on a regular basis or not, this would be an opportune time to stop by your local school and express that appreciation. It doesn't have to be in any sort of extravagant manner, just a confirmation of the significant role that teachers play in the lives of students and in the education system.
We invite parents to take an active interest in your child's education - to be engaged in the programs and activities in the school, to talk with your child's teacher about your child's special talents and hobbies that will help to focus learning and to support your child's learning outside of the classroom. When parents and their child's teacher work in partnership, the child clearly benefits.
Unlike just about any other profession you choose to consider, one of the chief characteristics that sets teaching apart is that relationship with our youth, and that can range from traditional instruction in whatever subject area you might want to consider or it can mean the perhaps unseen traits such as mentoring and nurturing that also happen on a regular basis in our highly valued public education system in this province.
Both teachers and staff, as well as public education, are surely to be treasured and should be duly appreciated, not only during this designated week but also on a year-round basis.
If you want further proof of the innovative work being done by teachers, one snapshot that might provide some of this is the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation's recently launched blog, http://thisistheclassroom.ca/.
Colin Keess
President
Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation
