Teacher Appreciation Week and Principals Appreciation Day

Published in Chinese in Sing Tao Daily on Monday, May 12. 

By Dr. Maria Su

Some of my most memorable school experiences were shaped by my teachers. After moving to the U.S. from Vietnam and entering kindergarten without knowing English, my teacher, Mrs. D, made sure I sat at the front during circle time to help me learn. Her patience and warmth made it easier for me to overcome language frustrations.

In middle school, I learned that teachers wear many hats when Mr. G, my social studies teacher, called a meeting with one of my best friends to ask her about some bruises he noticed on her, and soon after contacted Child Protective Services. Thanks to Mr. G’s intervention, my friend was able to get the support she needed. 

In high school, my biology teacher, Ms. B, encouraged me to apply for a high school research internship, sparking my love for science and eventually leading me to a career as a child psychologist.

Teachers understand their students and know how to tailor their approach to help each one thrive. They are like gardeners, planting and nurturing the seeds that allow students to grow and develop into their true selves.

And the relationships between students and trusted adults at school can make all the difference in creating a positive learning environment. 

In this spirit, I want to acknowledge Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9) and Principals Appreciation Day (May 1) and celebrate all the teachers and principals in SFUSD this week and all year long. Teachers and principals help build a strong sense of community and belonging, which is crucial to our guardrail of serving the whole child.

Teaching is a profession that is like no other. Managing a classroom and building meaningful connections with students and families takes patience, strong interpersonal skills, deep knowledge, and a great deal of energy. Teachers often connect with community organizations about at-risk students. They might run an after-school club or coach as well. A teacher may reach holiday breaks exhausted, yearning for quiet, but they dearly miss their students when away from the classroom.

Principals hold the vision of the school while making hundreds of daily decisions. They get to know students and families, attend parent meetings, guide instructional teams, support teachers, deal with emerging discipline and facilities issues, and lead communications across communities. Principals have days when they never stop and have to be in 10 different places. In addition to all of the interactions with people, principals need to manage their school’s budgets. They are flexible, motivated, and true leaders who care about their school’s students and the district as a whole. One principal summed up the job this way: “It’s 90% fun, 10% challenge, 100% worth it! The students remind you of the why.”

Do you have a teacher or principal in mind that made a difference in your life or in your student’s life? Reach out to them or simply take a moment to sit with the gratitude and joy that they bring to mind. 

Thank you again, SFUSD teachers and principals, for all that you do for our students and our district.

Share more about your favorite SFUSD teachers all this week on social media with #ThankATeacher and #WeAreSFUSD. 

Dr. Maria Su is Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District.