(WNY News Now) – New York – In a heartwarming celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, NYSUT unveils a poignant statewide campaign showcasing the profound impact educators have on their students’ lives.
New York State United Teachers is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by showcasing the results of a yearlong multimedia, statewide campaign that highlights the tremendous, lifelong impact educators have on their students.
As part of its Educator Inspired campaign, the union has traveled across New York — from Long Island to Rochester to Lake Placid — amassing a trove of videos and handwritten notes from students, parents, elected officials, celebrities, community members and NYSUT members sharing how educators have encouraged, guided and cared for them.
Our educators work every day to not only teach children, but to help them feel safe, accepted and confident. Whether it’s helping a student achieve a “lightbulb” moment in a subject they’ve struggled with, supporting them during difficult times in their personal lives, encouraging them to pursue pathways they didn’t believe were possible, or just making learning fun, NYSUT members are doing it all.
Ten, 20, 30 or more years out of school, former students still remember how their teachers were there for them. Watch a sample of these stories here.
“We all have a favorite educator — somebody who made a difference for us or who changed the trajectory of our life,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Too often these stories never get shared, but with our Educator Inspired campaign, we remind our members of their tremendous influence and that their work supporting students in and out of the classroom doesn’t go unnoticed.”
As legislators return to session this week, NYSUT is advocating for policies that would demonstrate true appreciation of teachers and their professional careers, including a new bill that returns the state’s teacher evaluation system to local control.
The revised Annual Professional Performance Review legislation, crafted by educators, superintendents, school boards, administrators, parents and principals, was hand-delivered by President Person and NYSED Commissioner Betty Rosa to the offices of the Legislature’s education leaders in March. It is currently advancing through the committee process toward a vote by the full Legislature before the end of session.
“Social media posts and store discounts are nice, but let’s really show educators how much they are appreciated with fair evaluations that actually support professional growth and development,” Person said. “Let’s give them the resources to be successful and the freedom to show up for their students in doing the essential work of educating the next generation.”
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