Teacher's Appreciation Week
A Celebration of Teachers
Rachel Perez '23
Around Campus Editor
Remember the days you would bring flowers or even chocolate to celebrate a week dedicated to our teachers? As we grow older, Teacher Appreciation Week fades away, and we forget to celebrate our teachers’ challenging work. This year, remember to do or bring something meaningful to at least one of your teachers, show them that you value their work and that you are grateful.
Many teachers realize their desire for teaching at a young age, while on the other hand, some may realize their passion later in life. No matter when a teacher discovers their passion, they work equally as hard.
Profe Ayala, one of our well-known Spanish teacher, admits, “I remember that when I was younger, I wanted to be a dentist, and in high school, I worked on getting my dental assistant license. However, life is mysterious and takes you through strange paths, and it was as an upperclassman in college that discovered that teaching was my real vocation. Once the opportunity was given to me to work as a TA as an undergraduate, I was hooked.”
Profe Ayala in his classroom.
Mrs. Kass explaining the concept of a voltaic cell.
On the contrary, Mrs. Kass, our chemistry teacher, states, “My first experience with teaching was when I was in high school. An American exchange student was in my class and asked me for help in math. I really enjoyed tutoring her, and she became a very good friend. Later, when I was in college doing my postgraduate studies, I was a TA for The Analytical Chemistry Lab (ACL) and really enjoyed teaching the undergraduate students.”
Teachers can be a gateway to learning everything in life; without teachers, none of us would have this education. Nonetheless, teachers hold a bigger purpose than serving us academically; they play multiple roles in our lives, from a friend to a parental figure.
Violet Hedding ‘23 believes, “They teach us valuable skills not only for classes but to help us with our lives.”
Ms. Goodman-Smith and Dr. Aguilar at the front office.
Besides academic memories, we all have some wonderful memories with our teachers; there are moments where we feel aggravated, so we turn to our teachers for a helping hand. There are other moments where you share a joke with a teacher and laugh it out. My favorite memory was confiding something important to me in Mrs. Crawley. She remained by my side without judgment or hesitation to help.
Cynea Casidsid ‘23 recalls, “My seventh-grade teacher would give us some free days where we would just sit around and talk to her.”
Briana Ruiz ‘22 shares, “My favorite memory with a teacher, specifically Mr. Nelson, is when we have book talks. Mr. Nelson always picks books that he thinks we will enjoy, and we get to do research on the book we pick.”
Rory Brennan ‘21 mentions, “My favorite memory with a teacher would have to be with Ms. Yerena! After school preparing for spirit week my junior year, she was playing music by Lizzo, and the whole class council and her were jamming and dancing together!”
We must remember that teachers were once students too. They, too, had to manage stress, choose between good grades or social life and worry about college. College will be different, but our teachers lend us some advice.
Mrs. Schewe, a mathematics teacher, instructs, “Don’t forget to talk to God about what’s happening in your life. Choose a career that gives you joy. When you are in your college classes, there may be something that a professor says that causes you to go in a completely different direction. Be open to where God is leading you.”
Mrs. Schewe teaching the Pythagorean theorem.
Mrs. Kass also mentions, “My advice for seniors is to find a balance between the social scene at college and your studies. Stay very organized. At the end of a week, put some time aside to reorganize your notes of the week. If you are struggling in a class, do not give up but seek help immediately. Do not procrastinate. Visit your LVHS teachers when you are in town to let us know how you are doing.”
Mrs. Hicks, religion teacher and alumna from the class of ‘02, suggests, “Go wherever your heart takes you- be yourself! You are all intelligent and bright young women who can truly make a difference in our world!”
Finally, consider all of the things it takes to become a teacher. First of all, a teacher must be suitable for the job as well as a server and a lover of children and adolescence. If a teacher is not fond of children, the teacher will have difficulty enjoying the job and finding an effective way to teach.
Primary teachers (grades 1 to 4-7) are responsible for teaching the basics of education. On the other hand, secondary teachers (9-12) are responsible for diving deeper into subjects and guiding students through the obstacles of life.
To teach a middle school or high school class in California, a teacher in training must hold a Single Subject Teaching Credential or a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. A Single Subject Credential enables you to teach a specific subject in middle school or high school. A Multiple Subject Credential allows you to teach students in elementary schools. Teachers in training must also be approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to receive a teacher certification.
No matter what kind of teacher a person would like to be, that person must accomplish the state’s basic skills requirements. The requirement can be met by passing one of the following: California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST); CSET Multiple or Single Subject exam, and the Writing Skills Examination (a person will need to pass both); CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP); or the CSU Placement Examinations.
Mrs. Muench and Mrs. Hetrick working in the library.
You will also need to prove subject matter competence, whether you seek an MSTC or an SSTC. Although each state has its own requirements, most states ask that you complete a teacher preparation program, pass the required state exams and hold a bachelor’s degree.
This teacher appreciation week from May 3 to May 7, show your gratitude and do something meaningful for your teacher. Make them a card, for example! Remember that their work is also complicated, and they deserve your appreciation.