Teacher Appreciation Introduction

Teacher appreciation should be a no brainer because next to parents, teachers have the most important job in the world. They teach future doctors, lawyers, writers, artists, athletes, car mechanics, presidents, and CEOs.

Yet, teachers are some of the most under appreciated professionals in this country. Unlike other countries where teachers are revered, in the U.S., teachers are embattled. They struggle with parents, administration, and the community. Their students often come unprepared and unwilling to learn. Teachers are feeling the burden in increasing numbers, as reflected in increasingly high attrition rates.

Teachers, if you don't feel appreciated, you're not alone. According to the National Education Association, teachers of the 21st century:

• spend an average of 50+ hours per week on teaching duties, including noncompensated school-related activities such as grading papers, bus duty, club advising, fund raisers, phone calls at home, and evening activity supervision.
• spend an average of $443 per year of their own money to meet the needs of their students. Elementary teachers spend about $498 per year. Secondary teachers spend about $386.
• make an average starting salary of $31,704 per year.
• working conditions and low salaries are the primary reasons cited for leaving the profession.
• attrition is roughly 50% higher in poor schools than in wealthier ones.
• teachers new to the profession are far more likely to leave than are their more experienced counterparts.
• although new teachers are supposed to be supported by veteran teachers, they say they are given little professional support, feedback, or demonstration of what it takes to help their students succeed.

We at the Human Motivation Circle love teachers! We appreciate the hard job you do! So we've created this section just for you. Whenever you're feeling down, come here often for articles that will surely brighten your spirits.

Teacher Appreciation Poem

Teacher Appreciation from the Mouths of Babes