Gratitude for Teachers

With the end of the school year just days away, and my youngest child about to graduate from high school, I have been reflecting a lot about all the teachers that guided her throughout her school journey.

I have this clear memory of when she was graduating from elementary school, just six years ago. On the last day of school, I met her and her classmates in front of the school, to head over for a swim at the community pool to celebrate.

As all the teachers hugged their students and waved them off, and my daughter and her friends grouped together for one last photo in front of their school, I saw her Grade 6 teacher standing nearby. I gave a wave and thought about going over to say goodbye, but then I felt the lump in my throat and knew I would burst into tears.

Those emotions were about so much - the melancholy of watching your children grow up, the bittersweetness of saying goodbye to a school community you valued. This particular teacher had taught one or the other of my kids for three years in a row, guiding them through all the ups and downs of such an important developmental stage of life.

In that moment, the emotion was most of all profound gratitude towards this teacher and all the ones that came before him, who supported my kids and all their other students. How can we adequately convey the gratitude for all that teachers do to nurture, inspire and care for so many children throughout their careers?

Giving thanks

Although no words or actions every feel quite adequate, a few weeks ago, with the end of the school year approaching, I sat down and wrote an email to one of the teachers who had the most significant impact on my daughter this year. I gave specific feedback about how she influenced her and the growth I had seen as a result. I thanked her for her dedication to all her students. I then asked if I could forward this on to the school principal, as I know it's also very rewarding for school administrators to get positive feedback about the their team.

I received a lovely response from both the teacher and principal about how much this meant to them. I plan to sit down in the days, before graduation, to send a few more notes of thanks. I may even see if I can find an email for that Grade 6 teacher, to let him know how my kids still say he was the best teacher ever - is it ever to late to say thank you?!

As someone in a helping profession myself, I can tell you a card with a genuine and caring note is often appreciated far more than other gifts. I treasure thank you notes so much, I started gathering them about 15 years ago, along with some photos and other mementos, in a special keepsake box. Check it out in the photo above!

The Value of Mentors for Mental Health

Teachers are just one example of mentors - adults who are not a child's parents, yet who provide support, guidance and inspiration for a young person. Perhaps, there is another adult who has been there for your child, and you want to acknowledge them as the school year comes to an end.

It may be a coach, or musical director, or aunt who attends every soccer game, who is the adult, outside your immediate family, that has most supported your child this year. Maybe you play this mentoring role yourself, whether as a helping professional, or through volunteer work such as coaching sports, to encourage youth and support their success.

Research shows that youth who have a mentor in their life experience increased confidence, are more optimistic, and have better mental health outcomes, compared to youth without the positive presence of mentors in their life.

For all the teachers, coaches, volunteers, caring relatives and neighbours who show up for youth in your lives - thank you. You make a difference. You are part of what is needed to support youth with their mental health. My wish for all of you, especially the teachers and parents who have managed to get kids across the finish line of school, is to have some time to slow down and rest in the weeks to come.