After months of schoolwork, grading, and terrible weather, the sun shines on GHS’s longstanding tradition of celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week during the first week of May.
“We have different groups that take a day each year at the beginning of May. This year it’s Student Council, National Honor Society, Journalism, SAAC, and Service Club. They each will have a theme to do things for our teachers, like bring drinks, candy, or food,” Principal, Mr. Michael Gasaway said.
He highlights the importance of having Teacher Appreciation every day.
“I think anytime that you can appreciate teachers, it’s important. Teaching is not for the faint of heart, and on top of trying to deliver content and teach students, they are trying to build relationships with them, Mr. Gasaway said. “To have a week to appreciate them is important because without them, there would be no school.”
The Student Council will be in charge of festivities on May 5.
“Our theme is Cinco de Mayo,” Mrs. Iana Allen, sponsor, said.“ It is nice to see all of the students just come together, smiling, or teachers get excited to see what’s coming next. I also like the kids getting involved and getting the chance to make and see their teachers happy.”
Student Council’s second sponsor, Mrs. Faither Stapleton, explained how the council decides on its actions.
“The students vote on what to do. Usually, the admin gives us a specific day of the week, and we decide what we want to do. Breakfast is always a huge hit,” Mrs. Stapleton said.
NHS is in charge of bringing the fun on Tuesday.
“Every year, students of the National Honor Society bring in all kinds of breakfast items for the teachers, we put it out in the teacher’s lounge, and they can eat all day long,” Mrs. Alison Bonham, sponsor, said.
Mrs. Bonham explained how NHS organizes their contributions for Teacher Appreciation Week.
“National Honor Society is student-led, and Isaac Apgaar is our president this year, and Isabel Reynolds is our vice president. It’s their job to organize the breakfast, and then I just help them if need be,” she said.
These school traditions have been long-standing.
“I’ve been in charge of National Honor Society for 15 years now, and before there was a clinic over there, we had a stove and an oven and everything in the teacher’s lounge. Students used to come in. We used to get here at like five o’clock in the morning and we’d have a pancake and eggs and bacon and make a hot breakfast, but since we don’t have that, we just bring stuff in now,” she said.
Mrs. Bonham revealed her favorite part of Teacher Appreciation Week.
“I like that the NHS does breakfast for the teachers because they’re so appreciative and I think it’s just a nice kind of bonding activity,” she said. “While the students are appreciating the teachers, the teachers are really appreciating what the students are doing, acknowledging them.”
The Journalism program has come together to keep the fun flowing on that Wednesday.
“We plan to make posters, and have catchphrases with a candy that goes with them. If it were gum, like ‘extra’ brand gum, it would be like ‘you are extraordinary,” senior, Annabelle Sawin said. “I did teacher appreciation week last year for NHS, but this is the first time we’ve done it for Yearbook, I think.”
The SAAC is in charge of Thursday’s activities.
“We are going to make some cards or signs to put around the school that day and give them out to some teachers and coaches,” Mrs. Andi Campbell, sponsor, said. “Then on Thursday of that week, we will distribute snacks and drinks to the teachers during sixth period.”
Friday’s festivities will involve a more creative approach.
“This year, Service Club is making emotional support penguins. Our officers decided on a plan with our sponsors, and then we brought it back at our general meeting. Everyone loved the idea,” Mrs. Lisa Laug,sponsor, said. “For the past seven years, Service Club has done something. We have done a carwash, rootbeer floats, breakfast; it varies. It’s more collaborative. We try to work very much with our student group leaders, and everyone’s ideas hold weight.”
Mr. Gasaway always has a couple of surprises for teachers.
“I hand out coupons or something like that, but generally, I like to do things for the teachers throughout the year outside of the dedicated week,” he said. “I plan to have snacks for them and hand out Chick-fil-A coupons.”
