Editorial: Thank you, teachers

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, May 8, 2019

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

It’s an old joke, but true nonetheless.

May 7 was National Teacher Day.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of good teachers.

We thank all our teachers, current and former, and encourage Tift County residents to do the same.

The National Education Association has been celebrating National Teacher Day on the Tuesday of the first week in May since 1985 (originally it was in March).

And if you’re a parent with a child in school, engage with your child’s teachers.

Studies suggest that students whose families are engaged in their education attend school more regularly, make better grades, have higher graduation rates.

The NEA recommends several ways to engage with your child’s education:

• Develop a relationship with your child’s teacher and keep in touch with him/her often.

• Ask the right questions.

• Set goals with your child and his/her teacher and foster the achievement of those goals.

• Review your child’s data to ensure he/she is on track.

• Look in your child’s backpack every day.

• Frequently view the parent portal (or whichever tool your child’s school uses).

• Actively participate at school when possible.

And take a moment to thank teachers — your own teachers, your children’s teachers, teachers you know.

The children in school right now are the future, and teachers are helping them get there everyday.

Thank you, teachers.