Winter 2023: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Inkandescent Women magazine — “If you can read this, thank a teacher,” writes Suzanne Capek Tingley, Veteran Educator, M.A. Degree, about her favorite bumper sticker in an article about the Three Reasons to be Thankful for Teachers, for Western Governor’s University.

WGU is home to educator Dr. Jennie Sanders, our cover story star in the Winter 2023 issue of Inkandescent Women magazine. So it seems appropriate to share Suzanne’s three reasons to be thankful for teachers: “their support, their kindness, their ability to teach kids, and of course, their dedication.”

These are Suzanne’s three examples of teachers who went above and beyond and proved why everyone should be thankful for this truly amazing group:

1. They Sometimes Dress Up for Class: It’s not unusual for teachers to go the extra mile to make learning fun. Risa J., who teaches high school math, surprised her students by dressing up as a blue unicorn on Halloween. The costume was a lot of fun until her supervisor showed up for an unscheduled classroom observation.
2. They Wear Many Hats: Teacher, Coach, and Nurse? Teachers often play important roles for their students outside of the classroom, too. Andi M. played college soccer and loved coaching an eighth-grade girls’ team. The last game of the season was played in miserable weather, and everyone was tired and wet when they got on the bus for the 40-mile trip home. A few miles down the road, one of the girls vomited. She was embarrassed and crying, and Andi went back to comfort her. Unfortunately, there weren’t any cleaning supplies on the bus, and before long other players also got sick. “I did the best I could, but the reaction of the other kids was kind of inevitable,” Andi said. “I breathed through my mouth the rest of the way home and told the kids to do the same. Luckily everyone’s parents were there to meet us when we got back.”
3. They Support Their Students Through the Toughest Times: Teachers often support students through difficult times that go beyond their classroom curriculum. Take fourth-grade teacher Sonya R., for example. Her nickname is The Tooth Puller. “It happened by accident,” she said. “One day in class, one of the boys kept wiggling his a loose tooth. Of course, the kids around him had their eyes on him and not me. Finally I said, ‘Do you want me to pull that out?’ He nodded, so I reached in and pulled it out. It was just hanging by a thread but he was too scared to do it himself.” When word got around, kids from other grades started appearing at her classroom door for the honor of having their teeth pulled by Mrs. R. “The kids in class applaud when the tooth comes out,” she said. “But then I send them to the nurse!”

Click here to read the entire article.

Given all these educators do, how can you properly thank a teacher? Click here for a list of the 100 best teacher appreciation thank you notes.

And be sure to check out the Winter 2023 issue of Inkandescent Women magazine, where you’ll meet a dozen educators who share their backgrounds, experience, and thoughts on the future of education.

We leave you with this parting thought from Pakistani female education activist and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai (pictured at top): “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” Learn more about her at malala.org.

Here’s to giving thanks to those special people who care for the generations — one student at a time. — Hope