Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week 2024

At Instruction Partners, we have the opportunity to collaborate with teachers across the country as they work to provide excellent learning experiences for their students. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re excited to share insights and stories from some of the incredible teachers we’ve had the honor of partnering with. 

We asked our partner teachers two questions: 1) What do you wish more people knew about teaching? 2) What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

Their responses provide a valuable look into teachers’ daily experience and cherished moments that shape their professional journeys.

Years teaching: 3.5

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching?

I wish more people knew that setting high standards and seeking support are essential for both teacher and student success. When educators establish rigorous expectations for themselves and their students, coupled with a supportive environment, it fosters a culture of excellence and growth.

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

One of my most cherished memories from my teaching career was witnessing a significant shift in my students’ approach to learning. It happened early in the year when, throughout all my classes on a specific day, students turned from simply seeking answers to asking for understanding. Instead of the usual plea of “Give me the answers,” I heard variations of “How did you do this? But don’t give me the answer…teach me.” It was a remarkable transformation that occurred consistently across all my classes, signifying a genuine desire to learn and take ownership of their education.

Years teaching: 6

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching?

I wish more people knew that when teachers show up with love, respect, and boundaries, the students will show up and give their learning their all. Students need to know that we are there for them first, before anything else—that we care about them as individuals who matter.

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

My favorite memory was created this year. I was able to participate in our school’s outdoor education trip (camping) to Vida Verde for the first time. On our second night, the girls in my tent decided to sleep under the stars. They showed incredible bravery and strength. As an avid camper myself, that was the first time I have ever done that. All I needed was a group of 4th graders to help me realize how brave I am!

Years teaching: 26

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching?

I wish more people knew that teaching is not just a job. It is a calling and a passion. I want teachers in classrooms who believe that all students can learn, no matter how that may look. I also want people to understand that students will meet the expectations set for them, high or low. Set high expectations!

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

My best memories are all around relationships. I have loved sitting at tables with children and seeing lightbulb moments. My teammate and I make home visits each school year, and we have many special moments sitting in the homes of our students. The thing I love most is seeing students have success in the classroom, the school, the system, and the community and to know I played a small part in that.

Years teaching: 15

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching?

More people must recognize the significant effort teachers put into ensuring the success of their students. They often exceed expectations by offering support and motivation to their students inside and outside the classroom. Their impact is not limited to academics alone but extends to shaping the future of society, one student at a time.

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

During a personal finance lesson, students needed clarification about the differences between debit and credit cards until I used a hypothetical scenario of managing monthly expenses and CashApp (debit card). By illustrating how debit cards deduct from a bank account (similar to CashApp) while credit cards allow borrowing money to be paid back later, the ‘aha’ moment occurred as my students grasped the distinction between the two and the importance of responsible financial management.

Years teaching: 9

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching?

I wish more people knew that teaching is much harder than it looks. I don’t think I will ever be finished learning!

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

I was a first-year teacher struggling to learn how to teach, and my intervention student was struggling to learn how to read. We spent only 20 minutes together each session, but I learned so much from him! The way his face lit up when he realized he had read a word by himself is something that I will remember always.

Years teaching: 10

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching? 

One thing that I wish more people knew about teaching is that teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. I also wish people would know that this job requires an immense amount of time investment, and it’s amazing helping students create a positive impact in their life and development.  

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

One of my favorite memories from my teaching career has been having “retester” students all day. These students were a mix of 10th–12th graders, and some had already taken the test more than six times. My favorite memory was seeing their reactions as I gave out the results and finding out that most of them had passed the exam.

Years teaching: 14

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching?

I wish people knew about the impact that we, as educators, have on shaping the future of our learners holistically. 

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

My favorite memory from my teaching career is undoubtedly when I moved to the US and was given an incredible opportunity to teach here. It marked the beginning of a fulfilling journey filled with diverse experiences, meaningful connections with my students, colleagues, Instruction Partners, parents, and the chance to make a positive impact in a new educational environment.

Years teaching: 31

What is one thing you wish more people knew about teaching? 

Teaching is a calling, and you must be willing and able to see the potential in each student—and then communicate that to students until they believe in themselves and strive to reach their fullest potential.

What is a favorite memory from your teaching career?

My favorite memory is when one of my 5th-grade students told me that I inspired her to become a teacher. She stated that, as a teacher, her ultimate goal is to make students feel the way I made her feel: VALUABLE.