From kindergarten through senior year, we are taught. We are taught things like math, reading, writing, science and so on. Throughout all of our classes, ranging from the courses you take as a 5-year-old to the courses you take as an 18-year-old, there are teachers behind all of the knowledge we gain. Even though these educated teachers have worked to send us on our way with the capabilities to pursue the rest of our life as intelligent, hard-working and socially-capable individuals, we do little to nothing as a student body to recognize those teachers who work relentlessly to ensure their students’ success.

With all the excitement and pride throughout FHN, attributable to our recent State Teacher of the Year recipient Shelly Parks, it can be easy to perceive our teachers well-appreciated. Behind the astounding award was 17 years of teaching in Missouri schools, 15 of which were spent within FHN. That may seem like a very long time but within those years, most teachers, including Parks, don’t stop in the classroom. At home, they will take the time to do things such as grading assignments and tests, planning lessons and responding to student emails or text messages through Remind if need be. Our school is abundant in experienced and caring teachers who rarely, if ever, receive an award.

Awards aside, there is an underwhelming amount of appreciation or respect within the classrooms. Students have their eyes glued to their phones and music pumped into their ears through headphones as the teacher presents a lesson, blocking out every word spoken to them. Students whisper and giggle to one another as the teacher attempts to speak.  Students respond to teachers with an audible huff and a not-so-subtle eye roll over a task as simple as a worksheet. Not only do our FHN teachers experience this daily, but our guest substitutes are often treated with even more disrespect. Even though we may not be sitting in our favorite class, shouldn’t we have the respect to at least pay attention to the teacher standing before us? Or say it is your favorite class, how often do you thank that teacher for a lesson they gave or some extra help they gave you? Most of us are guilty of doing or not doing these simple tasks to the people that are just trying to prepare us for life outside the FHN walls. A conscious effort towards the basic respect we learned as children should still apply to our daily interactions, especially with teachers.

Besides teaching the typical day to day, many teachers offer help outside of the classroom hours for their students. For example, the math department sets aside specific times and days after school to offer tutoring to those who need or would like it. Some teachers are also available to answer questions and offer help in the mornings. If teachers go the extra mile to make sure we have all the tools necessary to be successful in their class and in the future, why can’t we go the extra mile to make them feel appreciated for all their efforts?

As a student body, we should put forth effort in making our teachers feel more appreciated on a daily basis. Even the basic action of taking out your headphones when the bell rings or a simple thank you after a lesson would make a difference. Another way to help recognize the teachers in a more visible way could be a student picked teacher to allow us as students show how much we appreciate the chosen teacher. KOE will be hosting quarterly voting for a student picked teacher. Participation in these events would help recognize teachers that work hard daily to help students learn so they can successfully pursue the rest of their lives. Having attentive, respectful and caring students in the classroom along with periodical recognition would allow teachers to feel the fruits of their hard work.