Since my first
ever blog post is on National Teacher Appreciation Day, I think it’s
appropriate to state my appreciation for the extraordinary work that our
teachers do. Shrewsbury has a long
history of employing superb educators who do outstanding work teaching our
students in the classroom or supporting them as psychologists, counselors, or
other specialist professional roles.
In my almost 17
years in the school district as assistant principal, principal, and district
level administrator, I am aware of countless examples of Shrewsbury teachers
going far beyond the call of duty in order to make a difference in the lives of
their students. There are
few, if any, districts in the state where the overall level of skill and
dedication among educators is as high as it is in Shrewsbury. Research indicates that the quality of
a student’s teachers is the most important school-based factor in his or her
success, and it is no coincidence that our schools’ results have been so strong
over the decades despite spending far below what most districts do. Simply put, Shrewsbury has great educators.
Over the past
several years, I have also had the benefit of viewing our schools through a
different lens – that of parent. While
I always knew professionally how important it was for a student to feel that
their teachers care about them and are committed to helping them succeed, I
have now personally seen how my own daughters’ education has been positively
influenced in this way. Their
teachers have done their best to take the time to get to know them and build
strong relationships with them, which in turn motivates them to strive to do
their best to meet the high expectations set for Shrewsbury students. My wife and I know that we are forever
indebted to our girls’ teachers for helping to shape them into who they are
now, and who they will become in the future.
Our teachers have
superb technical teaching skills, but they also provide that human touch where students
know that their teacher truly cares for them and believes in them, and that sometimes
that makes all the difference. On
this Teacher Appreciation Day, I hope you’ll join me in thanking our educators
and supporting the hard work that they do to improve the lives of our students
and the quality of our town.
