It is no secret that teachers are a vital element of students’ lives; education is invaluable, making educators absolutely essential. It is also not news that the past year and a half have been challenging. The typical classroom environment has been totally uprooted as we attempt to adapt to a new reality.

Across the state, students have had vastly different experiences — some remain virtual, attending classes on Zoom and Google Meets, while others have returned to an entirely new version of in-person school. This is a challenge for students, to be sure, but it’s also a challenge for their teachers, who have worked hard throughout the pandemic to make the best of a bad situation.

Both of my parents work in education. My mother is a high school teacher and my father is a school board member. Many nights they come home totally overwhelmed by the events of that day. Each day holds something new, often an unprecedented change to an existing responsibility.

I’ve grown up knowing that teachers are important, but the events of the past year have drastically reinforced that perspective; I believe teachers are foundational to all aspects of education. They teach, obviously, but they also provide invaluable emotional and social services to their students. Teachers can be comforting, humorous, and a parental figure to many. Without their efforts, the entire education system would fall flat.

This is why we at the Student Voice Forum want to take time to share and celebrate educators who have inspired us and made an impact on our lives. We thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything you do for your students. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Sofie, The Gatton Academy
“It is impossible to pinpoint what exactly makes a good teacher. There are so many different styles of teaching and what works for one student may not work for another. Good teaching is one of those things where you know it when you see it. One teacher where I saw it most clearly was my Algebra 1 teacher. She was able to effortlessly differentiate between students at all different learning abilities, and she sought out and incorporated student voice like no other teacher I have had. Student voice was an integral part of her classroom, so much so that she would completely alter lesson plans for the next day if students expressed that they were struggling with a concept and needed help. All of this was done with ease because she knew her students well. She built relationships with her students which allowed her to differentiate and respond to the struggles her students were facing. I was able to learn so much because I felt understood and listened to when I was in her classroom. She is an exceptional teacher who cares about her students, and a teacher I will never forget.”

Cadence, Marshall County High School
“Mrs. Kelly Weaver will leave an everlasting impact on my education. She showed history in a whole new light that revealed a passion in me. She supported me through countless endeavors throughout my freshman year of high school that leave a mark on who I am today. Mrs. Weaver continues to support students even through a pandemic and countless other obstacles at our school. She has inspired and fostered numerous students to achieve their best with compassion and understanding. Mrs. Weaver, thank you for all that you do to support students even through the hard times.”

“I was able to learn so much because I felt understood and listened to when I was in her classroom.”

Sadie, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
“So many teachers have shaped my educational experience that it’s hard to choose just one. But I have to thank my middle school Spanish teacher, Señora Vasquez, for sparking my passion for foreign languages. Her class was so wonderful because she gave her students independence. After teaching us a vocabulary list or grammatical concept, Sra. Vasquez would usually let us make videos about whatever we wanted, so long as we used our new Spanish skills. This led to some zany results — I vividly remember my group’s Spanish-language adaptation of “Say Yes to the Dress,” with me playing Shakira, Carlos Vives, and Daddy Yankee — but it was the best way to learn. Her class wasn’t just informative or interesting; it was fun in the way that all learning should be. Thank you, Señora Vasquez!”

Emma, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
“This Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to shout out my math teacher, Mr. Peter Knapp! He’s been very understanding about the hectic-ness of this school year, and tries to stay connected with us even when we can only talk over Zoom chat. His “Puzzle of the Day’’ warmup is a great momentary break from academics, and I deeply appreciated him allotting everyone some venting time when we all had concerns about hybrid virtual and in-person learning back in March. I also appreciate how respectful he is of people’s anonymity when they send private Zoom messages, whenever he is able to be anonymous. Thank you Mr. Knapp!”

Norah, Greenwood High School
“To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I am excited to shout out my favorite science teacher, Ms. Laura Leeper. Despite not having a formal class with her, she has become one of my absolute favorite teachers. I can talk to her casually, but she doubles as a person I can confide in: I tell her about everything, from academic struggles to personal resentments. I remember freshman year when she drove us to our Science Olympiad competition and she shared her chicken fingers with me because I mentioned I hadn’t eaten. I remember when she listened to me cry when I had a rough second block; I remember her tearing up when she told me how proud she was that I didn’t give up. Ms. Leeper is perhaps the most compassionate teacher I’ve ever met. From providing additional tutoring to students who are behind to ensuring every student she has is treated with the utmost respect, she continues to be more than just an instructor to countless Greenwood students. Thank you, Ms. Leeper, for everything!”

Sara, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
“My English teacher, Mr. Janbakhsh, has made my sophomore year experience — already difficult with the abundance of work and tests, much less under the strain COVID has put upon it — a thousand times better. His engaging way of teaching as well as his genuine and consistent care for his student’s well-being has given me something to look forward to, as well as a way of knowing that I have an adult in my school who would support me if I needed it. I’m really grateful for him, and while I’m excited to be a junior, I will miss his funny tangents at the start of class and his thoughtful comfort when someone is having a difficult day, and I hope he knows that all those kind words made me feel a thousand times safer and happier in my school.”

Arivumani, The Gatton Academy/Greenwood High School
“Ms. Nicole Jenkins, my middle school English teacher, was instrumental in helping me develop as a writer. Prior to her class, I lacked a lot of self confidence in my writing and did not view myself as someone who was “good” at English. However, after much pushing from her to improve on my writing and enter it into competitions, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed writing when it wasn’t for some awful, generic prompt. After her class, I wanted to make writing instrumental to whatever I pursued, both academically and personally. Her mentorship has been central to my development as a student and in realizing my goals and aspirations. Thank you for everything you’ve done, Ms. Jenkins!”

“His engaging way of teaching as well as his genuine and consistent care for his student’s well-being has given me something to look forward to, as well as a way of knowing that I have an adult in my school who would support me if I needed it.”

Ana, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
“My favorite subject is science, but my favorite class is US History taught by Mr. Wilkinson. There is something about the way that Mr. Wilkinson teaches that makes the content so interesting and easily comprehensible. Whether it’s debating the flaws in Nixon’s attempt to cover up the Watergate break-in, or connecting history to current events, in the era of virtual school, Mr. Wilkinson’s class was the one I would roll out of bed for. Thank you Mr. Wilkinson for all that you do!”

All quotes are from members of the Student Voice Forum’s editorial board. The introduction was written by Norah Laughter, a junior at Greenwood High School.

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