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This week, all of our Catholic schools celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. It is a time set aside to think of all the many ways that our teachers give of themselves and give to our students and families.
This year, perhaps more than any other, we have seen the true character of our Catholic school teachers emerge.
At 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, our teachers ended a busy week and were thinking about the coming weekend that promised some time for rest and reflection as they prepared classes for Monday. By 4:30 that same afternoon, the governor had announced that schools would be closed due to COVID-19. For many teachers, this was the last time they saw their students.
Without warning, they had to prepare to teach from a distance, using new tools, new techniques, and new technology.
Teachers rose to challenge
Confronted with this surreal situation, our teachers rose to the challenge. They worked with their principals through their spring break in order to find new tools, learn how to use them, and figure out how to teach in a whole new way.
They spent countless hours learning, planning, creating lessons, helping gather and deliver students’ belongings, making sure students had the devices they needed, and preparing weeks of work so students could continue learning from home.
They rearranged schedules, made themselves available to students and families beyond the normal school hours, and reached out to families.
Our teachers’ actions were nothing less than heroic. They turned on a dime, not missing a beat, and dove fearlessly into the world of distance learning. As they did, they continued to learn what was working and what wasn’t.
They communicated more than ever with families to fine tune schedules and assignments to ensure that every child was engaged, learning at an appropriate level and at a manageable pace.
In all of this, our teachers demonstrated their professionalism, dedication, and absolute love for their students. We cannot thank our teachers enough. They are truly extraordinary and make our Catholic schools unlike any other. Thank you, teachers!
Honoring mothers
This week, we also look to the approach of Mother’s Day. As our mothers were our first teachers, it is fitting that we honor both them and teachers.
The seismic shift from learning at school to learning at home could not have occurred without the sacrifices, efforts, and cooperation not only of our children’s teachers, but also of their mothers and families.
Just as teachers found themselves suddenly teaching from a distance, mothers (and fathers) found themselves needing to help facilitate learning at home.
This meant finding study spaces, sharing devices, helping their children login to their classes, and keeping everyone on schedule while channeling youthful energy. Many are doing this in addition to caring for their families and working from home. Truly, this is courageous and heroic work!
Partnership is important
Catholic education has always held parents as the first, and primary educators of their children while teachers are partners with parents in the educational endeavor. Never before have we seen how critically important this partnership is as parents and teachers work together courageously, heroically, and lovingly to educate our children in knowledge and faith.
It is fitting then that we thank and honor all of our teachers, and mothers, who give so much of themselves to our children every day. In doing so, they emulate the selfless love of Christ.
Thank you to all teachers and all mothers. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your determination and dedication. Thank you for your resolve. Thank you for giving us hope. Thank you for acting out of love.
God bless you.
Michael Lancaster is the superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Madison.