Collaborative Corner on the Move

By Jeannie Pederson, Pope County Family Collaborative Coordinator

I recently listened to an interview with Sheryl Lee Ralph. She plays a kindergarten teacher on the hit tv show, Abbott Elementary. Her positive attitude and zest for life as she spoke drew me in. She wasn’t just talking about her experiences of acting as a teacher through the show, she was advocating for real life teachers who are in classrooms filled with real students. Though her days as Kindergarten Teacher Barbara Howard are hypothetical, the depth of her knowledge regarding what it takes to be a teacher is far reaching.

Kaitlin Kimont wrote, “As teachers head into the classroom, Ralph wants them to remember their value, their impact, and to take care of themselves. “They have one of the most important jobs ever. Holding the hearts and minds of children daily with what it is they do and what it is they share with children,” Ralph says. “Please, take care of yourself, because you are important and we need you. We need you very much just the way you are.”

I was curious to learn how many days of appreciation represented all those working in schools. Though the upcoming list is long, there are great opportunities to share kindness filled with gratitude. Here they are ~

February 2024 All month: Love the Bus Month, 2/5-9: School Counselor Appreciation Week, 2/15: National School Resource Officer Day, 2/26-3/1: Public Schools Week, 2023-24 School Staff Appreciation Days, March 2024 All month: Youth Art Month, All month: National Athletic Training Month, 3/3-9: National School Social Work Week, 3/4: Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day, April 2024 All month: Occupational Therapist Month, All month: School Library Month, 4/1-5: National Assistant Principal Week, 4/3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, 4/4: School Librarian Appreciation Day, 4/22-26: National Administrative and After-School Professionals Appreciation Week, 4/23: School Bus Drivers’ Day, 4/21-27: Administrative Professionals Week, 4/24: Administrative Professionals Day, May 2024 5/1-7: National Physical Education and Sport Week, 5/1: School Principals Day, 5/3: School Lunch Hero Day, 5/6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week, 5/8: School Nurse Day, 5/10: School Communicators Day, 5/18: Speech Pathologist Day, June 2024 All month: Student Safety Month.

“Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.

–Andy Rooney

“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.”

–Fred Rogers

Thanks to all the great teachers and staff that make Pope County a good place to learn!