Beyond Coffee Mugs: What Teachers Really Need
Teacher Appreciation Week arrives annually, often accompanied by an outpouring of well-intentioned gestures – gift cards to Starbucks, mugs overflowing with candies, and heartfelt notes of thanks. While these tokens of gratitude are appreciated, they often feel inadequate in addressing the deeper issues plaguing the teaching profession. The persistent teacher frustration and widespread shortages paint a picture of a workforce struggling under immense pressure, signaling that superficial appreciation might not be enough to retain dedicated educators and attract new talent.
To understand the core of the problem and identify meaningful solutions, it’s crucial to listen to the voices of those who have dedicated their lives to education. John B. King, a former U.S. Education Secretary, the current chancellor of the State University of New York, and the author of “Teacher by Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives,” offers invaluable insights. When asked what would truly make teachers feel appreciated and help stem the tide of attrition, his answer was unequivocal: fair compensation, particularly for new teachers, and significantly improved working conditions.
King’s vision goes beyond merely reducing class sizes and providing more administrative support, although those are crucial components. He emphasizes the need to equip teachers with the resources they need to effectively educate their students. This includes access to opportunities like field trips, which can profoundly impact a child’s learning and understanding of the world.
He recounts his own experience with a fourth-grade field trip to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This experience, facilitated by his teacher, Mr. Alan Osterweil, was transformative, opening up a world of wonder and providing a much-needed source of solace during a difficult period in his life. King’s personal story powerfully illustrates the lasting impact a teacher can have on a student’s life.
King’s childhood was marked by profound loss and instability. He lost his mother, a school counselor, at the young age of eight. His father, New York City’s first Black deputy school superintendent, was aging and grappling with both physical and mental decline. As his father’s condition worsened, young John was thrust into the role of caretaker, navigating the complexities of household management and self-sufficiency from a remarkably young age.
By the time he was eleven, John was shouldering responsibilities far beyond his years, paying bills, buying groceries, and essentially fending for himself. This experience left him feeling profoundly isolated, but he found solace and guidance in the unwavering support of his teachers. These educators nurtured his love of learning, instilled in him a belief in his own potential, and helped him feel connected to the wider world.
King’s story highlights the critical role teachers play, especially for children facing adversity. He overcame significant personal challenges to achieve remarkable success, but he recognizes that his accomplishments were not solely the result of individual effort. He understands that building a strong society requires investing in the next generation and that nurturing children – intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually – is a collective responsibility. For some children, as King poignantly observes, "a great teacher is the only hope."
Another influential figure in King’s life was Celestine DeSaussure, affectionately known as Miss D. She provided crucial support when he transitioned to junior high in a new neighborhood. Her passion for learning and unwavering encouragement helped John feel a sense of belonging in the classroom, even when he lacked a stable home environment. Miss D fostered his critical thinking skills, nurtured his passion for justice, and cultivated his confidence in both spoken and written expression.
Following his father’s death in 1987, King faced further disruption and was sent to live with an older half-brother. He recalls the culture shock of being “the only black guy” in his class at Smithtown West High School on Long Island. Despite this sudden and isolating experience, school remained his sanctuary, a place of stability and intellectual stimulation.
King attended two more high schools before ultimately earning admission to Harvard University. This accomplishment marked a remarkable culmination of a nomadic and often agonizing childhood, a journey grounded by academic success and a deep-seated love of learning, traits instilled in him by his mother and nurtured by a succession of exceptional teachers.
The inspiration for King’s book stemmed from a family trip in 2019 to a plantation in Maryland where his ancestors had been enslaved. This poignant journey was chronicled in a feature story in The Washington Post and now serves as the concluding chapter of “Teacher by Teacher.” This chapter offers a powerful commentary on attempts to suppress or distort history. When the Kings reached out to the Beckers, the descendants of the family who had enslaved their ancestors, they were met with openness and a willingness to confront the painful and complex history that bound them together.
This reunion serves as a fitting conclusion to King’s memoir, a blend of history and personal reflection, a testament to identity, and an acknowledgment of both the enduring pain and the enduring hope for the future. The journey, sparked by a fascination with history ignited by Mr. Osterweil, Miss D, and the other influential teachers in his life, underscores the lasting impact of educators.
Larry Strauss, a high school English teacher in South Los Angeles, plans to have his tenth-grade students read this chapter as part of a writing project. This initiative will connect the lives of his students in Los Angeles to the legacy of King’s teachers and to his family history, highlighting the power of education to transcend time and place.
While Teacher Appreciation Week is a valuable opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of educators, it’s important to remember that genuine appreciation goes beyond fleeting gestures. King emphasizes the importance of reaching out to teachers who have made a difference in your life and expressing your gratitude. He recalls attending his father’s wake and witnessing a man in his fifties approach him and speak reverently about the profound impact John B. King Sr. had on his life. King reflects that the man likely wished he had shared those sentiments with his father while he was still alive.
To truly honor teachers, we must advocate for policies that address the systemic challenges they face. This includes increasing teacher salaries, particularly for those just starting their careers, and creating working environments that are conducive to effective teaching and professional growth. Providing teachers with the resources they need, including access to field trips and other enriching experiences for their students, is also crucial. Ultimately, recognizing and addressing the deeper needs of teachers is essential for ensuring a brighter future for our students and for society as a whole.
