Heroes. Every single one of you. Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Your gifts are deeply appreciated. You are the reason our children are confident. You are the reason our children are strong. You are the reason our children are safe. You have protected their hearts and stretched their minds. Because of you, they are prepared. Because of you, we are grateful.

For our children, you stayed up late worrying. Thank you.

For our children, you took your work home and worked way more than anyone ever realized. Thank you.

For our children, you tried something new, something you were sure would work with our child. Thank you.

For our children, you had difficult conversations with us that tore your own heart apart. Thank you.

For our children, you read, researched, and trained so that you could be the best and they could have the best. Thank you.

For our children, you spent time away from your own. Thank you.

For our children, you found patience. Even when you didn’t think you had any left. Thank you.

For our children, you made learning fun. Each day they left excited about coming back the next day. Thank you.

For our children, you were more than just a classroom. You were a home.

For our children, you helped them to find their voice in social situations, academics, and beyond. Thank you.

For our children, you made them feel loved. You made them feel whole. You made them feel safe. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

As the school year draws to a close, we are so grateful to you, to all of you. Yours is a noble and a humbling profession. No one really knows all the work, all the time, all the love, all the energy, all the worry, all the hope, and all the joy you invest in our children. We might never really understand it all, but we can tell you with our whole hearts that we are filled with gratitude for you. You will forever be a part of our children’s stories. Your path is now entwined with ours, and as our children continue down the road, they will do so having been changed in such a wonderful way. Changed because of you. You make a difference every single day. As exhausted as you might feel in this last bit of the home stretch, may you always know how much you mean to us. Today and every day.

Thank you teachers!

Find the joy~

Jessica

**Jessica McCauley, M.Ed. is a parenting coach/consultant. She draws on her background as a Montessori educator and Child Life Specialist to help families navigate the challenges of the early childhood years. Contact Jessica at [email protected] for more information or to schedule a consultation.