By: Lisanne L. Mikula, Esquire
Educators make invaluable contributions to their students and their communities. Instructing students in reading, writing, arithmetic, and thousands of subject matters is, of itself, laudable. Teachers, however, provide so much more.
Teachers promote curiosity in students, which fosters creative and flexible thinking, contributing to our nation’s proud history of innovation and ingenuity. Teachers instill in their students a sense of wonder, fostering students’ appreciation of the arts, nature, scientific discovery, and the world around them. They help students understand their place in the present, their connection to the past, and their potential to impact the future. They encourage students to discover their unique talents—not only in the classroom, but on the sports field, on the stage, in student government, in student publications, and in myriad extracurricular clubs and activities.
Much of what teachers contribute, however, goes beyond academic instruction. Teachers are frequently the first to notice if a student has a learning difference—the initial step in formulating a strategy to meet that student’s unique educational needs. Teachers help students develop skills to cope with and process joy and grief, achievement and disappointment. Teachers play a critical role in helping students navigate social ties with members of their school community, and they help students understand the importance of making positive social contributions both inside and outside the classroom.
Teachers are also instrumental in identifying students suffering from abuse or neglect, food insecurity, homelessness, mental illness, or drug and alcohol dependency, and getting them the help they need. Teachers in financially disadvantaged schools often encounter lack of classroom supplies and use their own resources to ensure their students have the tools they need to learn. As if teachers did not already face enough challenges, COVID-19 created a new set of obstacles—not only in offering instruction at the height of the pandemic while protecting the health and safety of the school community, but also in helping students overcome any setbacks they experienced due to the disruption of in-person education.
For the many valuable contributions you make, we would like to wish all educators a happy Teacher Appreciation Week.
The Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP is a full-service law firm in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We strive to help people, businesses and institutions throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania solve legal problems – and even prevent legal problems before they occur. To learn more about the full range of our specific practice areas, please visit www.dioriosereni.com or contact Lisanne L. Mikula, Esquire at 610-565-5700 or at [email protected].
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