Happy Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4, 2026

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week 2026

At Instruction Partners, we’re lucky enough to work alongside incredible teachers across the country every day. For Teacher Appreciation Week, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate them.

We asked our team to share notes of appreciation for partner teachers who inspire them, and we invited those teachers to share their own perspectives on 1) their favorite moments in the classroom, 2) what they hope their students take with them, and 3) what they wish more people knew about the profession.

Their responses highlight the dedication, care, and expertise teachers bring to their work—something we deeply appreciate this week and every week. We’re excited to celebrate their impact and share their voices here.

 

 

Jade Westbrook, Newton ISD, Texas

A note of appreciation from Kimberly Wakefield, content lead:

“Jade leads with gratitude and a smile. She always shows up to PLCs for lesson internalization prepared with pre-work. Jade is always willing to ask questions with a learner mindset and try on practice to prepare for instructional delivery.”

Headshot of teacher Jade Westbrook with quote "One thing I hope my students remember 10 years from now is that they always felt loved, valued, and supported in my classroom. More than any lesson, I want them to carry the confidence that they belonged and were capable of success."

 

Sabrina Mayberry, Desoto ISD, Texas

A note of appreciation from Lori Longoria, content lead:

“Mrs. Mayberry has an unwavering commitment to ensuring every student experiences success. Her instruction is clear, intentional, and paired with meaningful opportunities for practice and feedback, which drives strong student growth. What I appreciate most is her dedication to refining her craft and supporting both her students and colleagues with purpose and care.”

Headshot of teacher Sabrina Mayberry with the quote, "A teacher’s work never truly ends—even outside the classroom; we are planning, creating, and finding new ways to help our scholars grow. It’s a labor of love, and we do it because we care deeply about the success and well-being of every child.”

 

Brittney Barnett, Knox County Schools, Tennessee

A note of appreciation from Meka Barry, content lead:

“Because of Brittney’s leadership, classrooms are stronger, instruction is more intentional, and teachers feel more equipped to meet the diverse needs of every learner. Through Brittney’s guidance, students are not only achieving at higher levels but are also experiencing the joy, confidence, and support that excellent instruction makes possible.”

Headshot of educator Brittney Barnett with quote, "My favorite moments are opportunities to watch others build confidence and succeed (whether that was my students in the classroom or our teachers and students in my current role). I value the moments that I get to step into classrooms and witness teachers' confidence shine, because when teachers believe in themselves, our students benefit in powerful ways."

 

Janice Hyte, Charleston R-I, Missouri

A note of appreciation from Siera Osei, content lead:

“Janice is a rock at her school. Positive and always supportive of rigorous student learning. She volunteered to be a teacher leader this year alongside her principal and really led great work around lesson internalization. Although she teaches first grade, her classroom is full of discourse grounded in texts.”

Headshot of teacher Janice Hyte with quote, "If my students only remember one thing ten years from now, I would want it to be: Always try your best at whatever you're doing, and never be afraid to ask for help."

 

 

Molly Foster, Franklin Special District, Tennessee

A note of appreciation from Anita Gonzalez, content lead:

“Molly has a special gift when it comes to strong classroom instruction. She’s committed to student growth, data driven instruction, and building strong student and family relationships. She seeks out new learning opportunities and pushes herself to become the best she can be for her students.”

A headshot of teacher Molly Foster with the quote, "I hope my students remember that they were capable of more than they ever thought, and that someone truly believed that about them. I want them to carry the belief that they can rise to challenges, think deeply, and accomplish hard things. And just as important, I hope they remember the laughter, the energy, the way learning felt exciting and meaningful."

 

Anita Miller, West Contra Costa Unified School District, California

A note of appreciation from Becca Varon, director of instructional support:

“Anita always raises her hand to do anything that can help kids or other teachers. Despite being a veteran teacher with deep expertise, she’s never done learning how to keep making her math lessons even stronger. Her leadership is a major reason that teachers at her school collaborate so beautifully and consistently try new things to help students learn.”

Headshot of teacher Anita Miller with quote "If my students only remember one thing about my classroom, I hope they remember our read aloud time. I have enjoyed sharing and reading books I love to my students, and they love the time they get to use their imagination and finding a new love of books."

 

Meredith Blair, Knox County Schools, Tennessee

A note of appreciation from Emily Castaneda, content lead:

“Ms. Blair’s commitment goes beyond just following a manual; she is consistently looking for the ‘why’ behind student growth. By embracing these routines, she is fostering a classroom environment at Shannondale where students feel supported and challenged in all the right ways. Keep up the incredible work, Ms. Blair! Your students are lucky to have such a thoughtful advocate.”

A headshot of the teacher Meredith Blair with the quote, "I work hard on my classroom climate and have strived to help kids learn how to be kind, to have grit, and to persevere when things get tough. Academics are important, but if you don't have the heart and grit behind what you do, you can only get so far. Progress over perfection is a motto in my room that I hope they will remember for years to come."

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