In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association suggested the designation of a week in May that would be set aside to honor the hard work and dedication of educators. Since 1985, millions of teachers across the state and country are celebrated each year during early May for National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Here at Montclair High School, our classrooms are full of wonderful educators, counselors, administrators, and staff, so appreciating our educators comes easily. This year, the Parent-Teacher Association and various student clubs are coming together to make our teachers feel special- and MHS’s National Honor Society (NHS) chapter has laid out a week of programming to join in on the action!
The festivities include the creation, personalization, and distribution of thank you cards for specific teachers, DIY bouquets, and a sidewalk chalk art event (unfortunately, the rain erased much of the beautiful art, but luckily I captured plenty of pictures before everything was gone!), among other things.
Peek below at some of the behind-the-scenes work NHS students have done to prepare for and celebrate the week.
During lunch on Monday, May 6, students worked together to create the artwork above in front of the main building entrance and on the Midland side of the building.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, NHS students signed, decorated, and personalized notes in all-handmade cards to be delivered to teachers.
In the LGI on Tuesday, students handmade flower bouquets from pipe-cleaners and paper- an artistic activity to celebrate spring and our teachers all at the same time!
Juniors (from right) Katherine March, Maria Maria Cummins-Astor, Claire Bury-Longino, Cali Kenny and Claudette Johnson participate in a sidewalk chalk event at lunch.
While overseeing NHS’s bouquet-making activity on Tuesday, Elizabeth Hart, math teacher and National Honor Society advisor, explained how much she loves being a teacher here at Montclair High School. “I 100% love [it]. I have been [a teacher] for 20 years and this is by far my favorite place. I love the kids. I really do.”
For students in NHS, teacher appreciation week’s goal is to reciprocate the kind of appreciation for learning that teachers like Hart have for their jobs.
“I appreciate their care and support. I also just appreciate that they all take time out of their busy schedules to build connections with their students. I’m comfortable enough to go and talk to them,” Roxana Halaby, an eleventh-grader, said of MHS teachers.
“I like that they are very passionate about what they’re teaching and provide a safe environment for students,” added Carlie Holm, a senior.
Like Halaby, Maria Cummins-Astor mentioned her gratitude for the open communication that teachers maintain with students, and March said she appreciates the welcoming and encouraging environment that MHS teachers foster in the classroom.
For Hart and other teachers, Teacher Appreciation means a lot. “As teachers we do a lot that the kids don’t see, that we don’t have to do, a ton outside of the 8 to 3,” she said. “Anytime we get shown genuine appreciation, it makes the world of difference. It’s not the gifts, it’s the show of appreciation.”
NHS students said they hope their efforts will make every teacher feel like their incredible dedication is never going unnoticed.
Teacher Shoutouts!
Every teacher at MHS is valued tremendously- of course. I asked those below to show some love to the teachers who have made their experience here at MHS extra special.
“I’ve been working with Ms. Larose for 4 years and I love working with her because we can read each other’s minds a lot of the time, so we know what to do without saying much… she’s also just such a genuinely good person.” – Elizabeth Hart, math teacher and NHS advisor
“Ms. Panchecka and Mr. Rubin have really made an impact on my work ethic, and the subjects they taught made me love them. I really appreciate their support and everything they’ve done for me.” – Roxana Halaby, Grade 11
“One of my favorite teachers is Ms. Eckert, the AP Bio teacher. She has a great personality and she’s really fun to be around. She gives us a lot of resources and prepares us for the AP exam well, but also just for other stuff in life.” – Maria Cummins-Astor, Grade 11
“My fav teacher is Ms. De Mayo because she is kind, forgiving, funny as hell and very welcoming.” Carlie Holm, Grade 12
“Mr. Bura – he always creates a very nice environment and provides the resources we need to create art. His personality is so amazing and he makes me really happy to be doing art.” Katherine March, Grade 11
We love you, teachers!
