Having been in the classroom for the best part of my life, reflections that week brought back beautiful memories of the bonding one had with one’s teachers, years back.  

Recollecting the pet names one gave them, the giggles and jokes one made of them and the nuggets one learnt from them, they all added up to the illumination and fun that these teachers brought into one’s life.  

As a grandmother today, I have taken a greater interest in my grandchildren’s schooling.

Whoever is reading me today and has read this column over the last 16 years regularly or selectively, understanding and appreciating it, must pause to say a big thank you to their teacher.

Their lasting contributions to our lives as parents and grandparents, and those of the children they teach, have been immeasurable.

It does not need any saying that teachers are the glue that has put us together to be what we are in life to this day.

Though our parents have contributed a lot to what we are, credit must be given to the teacher who taught us to speak and speak well, how to add and add up well, how to interact with others and stay bonded, how to write and write well, and all the many other life essentials that needed to be executed and executed well, as one prepared to go through life.  

As I continued to reflect this week on the USA Teacher Appreciation Week, I could not help but admire the lengths Americans went, to appreciate one group of cherished employees, teachers.

Apparently, in some States, parents in individual schools helped their children in diverse ways to appreciate their teachers and virtually in unison shout out, “This is the Week the Lord has made and it is marvellous in our eyes”.  

On the national level, the celebration took diverse forms.

The American way of appreciating their teachers during the week in question was simple, but impressive. 

It was freebies, community awards and pampering sessions for the teachers.

As the school year slowly drews to an end, numerous restaurants and businesses  joined in the national acknowledgement.

While some restaurants offered free meals and other deals, businesses offered discounts to teachers to appreciate them throughout the Teachers’ Week.

The whole day of May 5 was celebrated as the actual Teachers’ Day with much more public recognition.

Stressful and overwhelming as their sacrificial jobs are, teachers [openly and freely showed some love during the assigned week.

The nation had come to realise that the monetary compensation alone could not repay a teacher’s devotion and commitment to the job.  

Come to think of it, teachers everywhere, in consonance with their calling and training, not only educate, but they also help shape children into future leaders.

If one were to take a step back and look at the role, teachers are extremely patient with children.  

They have all the patience in the world to wheedle them, while exercising all the understanding as professionals.

Parents and communities must believe and trust teachers; otherwise, why would we, for a whole school year, entrust our children with them?

We no doubt appreciate the pivotal role they play in our children’s lives.  

Teachers helped shape our mothers and fathers.

They have shaped us and continue to shape skilled employees, the doctors and nurses who attend to us when we are ill and feeble, the engineers, lawyers, accountants, journalists, and indeed, every professional under the sun has in mind a teacher, who inspired their lives and motivated them to be who they are.

So, I have been pondering what we can do in Ghana on regional and district levels, ahead of the World Teachers’ Day marked in October each year, to show appreciation before each school calendar year ends?  

It may not necessarily be as grand as the National Farmers’ Day observed in December each year, but at least, parents, local businesses, the media and even churches can show some level of acknowledgement.

Now, with community, local and national radio and television stations all around these days, one can encourage or put a smile on their faces simply by sending kind appreciation messages on the radio or television for them.  

Communities can set up football or basketball matches and other fun games for their teachers.

What about a picnic in the park?  

We all can find practical ways to put some smiles on teachers’ faces during that special week to make them feel special and continue with their great sacrificial jobs.  

The Week should be set apart from the World Recognition Day, which falls in October.

It is time to pause, think and reflect on the teacher and give them a shout out even before the World Recognition Day.

Writer’s e-mail: [email protected]