TL;DR:

• Jeff Gargas shares a message to teachers as we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week.
• A recap of the team’s events from the week is shared.

We Appreciate You

Looking back at all that went on during Teacher Appreciation Week, I feel like I need to say something. It’s something I say a lot, so it probably won’t be anything new to you, but I need to say it.

So here it is: I appreciate you.

I appreciate you.
Not just during the week that we set aside to show our appreciation for teachers.
Not just because of the way you’ve overcome the unreasonable, unrealistic, and unfair challenges the pandemic has put in front of you.
Not just because of the way I know you will adjust again over the next few months as you prepare to go back to a “normal” that will most likely not look normal at all.

I don’t just appreciate you right now. I appreciate you…always.

Because of the love and dedication you put into your work.
Because of your passion and commitment to doing what’s right for students.
Because of your relentless pursuit of BETTER.

I appreciate you today.
I appreciated you yesterday.
And I’ll appreciate you tomorrow.

I appreciate you because you deserve to be appreciated.
Not because it’s owed to you simply because of the career you’ve chosen…but because you have EARNED it.

You have earned my respect.
You have earned my admiration.
You have earned my appreciation.
And you continue to earn it again and again, every day that you wake up and go to work changing lives.

There are millions of reasons why I appreciate you, but the most important of all is this: If I did not appreciate you, you would still wake up every day and change lives.

I appreciate you because you put in the work every day…even when you know there is a good chance you won’t be appreciated.

The truth is, you don’t need my appreciation…and that makes me appreciate you even more.

Teacher Appreciation Week Live Series: A Recap from the Week

• Monday (Grading & Evaluating for Understanding) with Meghan Deegan and Katelynn Giordano
• Tuesday (Re-engaging Students After COVID-19) with Rae Hughart and Kevin Butler
• Wednesday (Educator Mental Health) with Rae Hughart and Mandy Froehlich
• Thursday (Coaching in the New Normal) with Dave Schmittou and P. Sloan Joseph
• Friday (Instruction for Today) with Chad Ostrowski and Jeff Gargas
• Saturday (Counseling After Crisis) with Joshua Stamper and Maurice Martin
• Sunday (Stay Focused on What Matters) with Rae Hughart and Livia Chan

See the full blog series here!

About Jeff Gargas

Jeff Gargas is the COO and co-founder of the Teach Better Team, and co-author of the Teach Better book. Prior to co-founding Teach Better Team, Jeff was the owner of ENI Multimedia, an online marketing firm, where he worked with entrepreneurs and small businesses, assisting them with web design, social media, content marketing, and brand awareness.

Prior to all of this, Jeff was an adjunctive professor at Kent State University and spent 10+ years in the music industry. He has spoken at conferences around the country, and has successfully promoted more than 500 events and launched 7 businesses in a variety of industries.

Jeff is passionate about music, and enjoys spending time with his family as often as possible. He is also a member of the Teach Better Speakers Network.