It’s Teacher Appreciation Week at our school this week. And, yes, being the good PTA mom that I am, I volunteered to be in charge of it . . . or maybe got volunteered, I’m not sure which. Either is fine because I love doing this sort of thing. And for the first time in years, all of the students were really involved in personally doing various things for their teachers.
Can I just tell you what a transformed place our school has been this week? Teachers are smiling and spilling over with delight. Kids are filled with joy and pride as they’re coming to school with flowers and notes and special items for their teachers. Just this morning, I watched a group of them showering their 2nd grade teacher with hand-written notes. Both giver and receiver were thrilled.
It’s been a great reminder of the power of words. Thoughtful, authentic, well-timed words. Words of love and affirmation can put wind in our sails like nothing else. Their power is so great. The Bible tells us that the tongue is extremely powerful and hard to tame. Untamed, it can utterly destroy. When used well, it transforms and brings life to the barren places of the heart.
We didn’t spend much money on our teachers this week. We just took the time to make them a few meals, spruce up their lounge, and help our kids say “thanks”. The impact has been far-reaching.
The shame of it is that we often need a specific day or well-organized week to give such words. I hope Mother’s Day isn’t the only time I remember to give props to my mom or Teacher Appreciation Week the only time I tell my kids’ teachers how grateful I am for them. I want to be a woman that chooses her words well day after day. A woman who looks for opportunities to strengthen and give life, not tear down or destroy.
