A Salute to My Teachers

May 8 - 12, 2023 is Teacher Appreciation Week. As a product of the public schools, by and large, in Episode 25 (Apple, Spotify, Google Play) I wanted to take a moment to recognize and name numerous educators who helped me to become both the person and the educator I am. Today there's a lot of debate about the role education plays in children's lives. Many question the lesson content, the pedagogical strategies and beliefs that inform teachers' approach, and even teachers' worldviews. Teaching is hard. It's a profoundly human endeavor that requires one to show up day after day and start anew, in many cases. In this episode, I share how various teachers played pivotal roles at key moments in my life. In the end, I ask you to set that all aside in order to thank an educator, whether that educator is in the classroom, in the building, or at the district or maintenance department. It takes a village to raise a child; educators in various forms are an important part of that village. Whatever your political beliefs, please take a moment to recognize and name the important work our educators do each and every day.