The week of May 3 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Every day as we go about the business of running our businesses, pleasing our bosses, caring for our patients, serving our clients, protecting our resources and tending to our homes, there
The week of May 3 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Every day as we go about the business of running our businesses, pleasing our bosses, caring for our patients, serving our clients, protecting our resources and tending to our homes, there are hundreds of unsung heroes shaping the future of our beautiful island home.
These heroes go about their job with optimism, enthusiasm and creativity. They spend their day encouraging, comforting, challenging and protecting. They find a way to cope with the crushing red tape of bureaucracy while never losing the spark to innovate. They deal with tears, laughter, chaos and crisis — sometimes all at the same time!
We entrust in these heroes our most precious possessions. We pay them only a fraction of their worth. We rarely say “thank you” or “great job” or “you’re special.”
But then, these heroes are not there for the money or the glory. They deal in the currency of dreams rather than dollars.
Becoming a teacher changed my life, and spending 33 years in the classroom was an exceptionally rewarding experience. Yet even I can scarcely comprehend the myriad of challenges faced by our teachers today. I am humbled at the manner in which they handle their awesome and ever-increasing responsibilities with dignity and professionalism.
Please take the time this week to let the teachers in your life know how much you value their enormous contribution to our community. If you don’t know a teacher personally, find one and simply say “thank you.” A commitment to our children and our future begins with a commitment to our teachers…our heroes. Mahalo to all of Kaua‘i’s teachers,
Maryanne W. Kusaka
Wailua Houselots
