(L to r) Anna Laughlin, Wauchilue Adams, Sabra Szczyglowski and Michael Denny.

Leonardtown, MD — St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will be celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Week beginning May 4 and Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5. The national theme this year is “Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools.”

Teachers were recognized by the St. Mary’s County Board of Education at their April 29 meeting. At the ceremony certificates of appreciation were given to:
• Anna Laughlin, president of the Education Association of St. Mary’s County, for their leadership;
• St. Mary’s County Teacher of the Year representative Sabra Szczyglowski;
• Washington Post Distinguished Education Leadership awardee Wauchilue Adams, and
• Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Michael Denny.

Laughlin made the following remarks:

“Good evening:

“The 17th century English essayist Joseph Addison had this to say about the value of education.

“‘Education is a companion no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate, no despotism can enslave. At home a friend, abroad an introduction, in solitude a solace and in society an ornament.  It chastens vice, guides virtue and gives at once grace and government to genius.  Without it, what is man?’

“What can we say about those people who bring us this treasure which separates us from all creation? Well I found a piece written by Natasha Walizer in the Huffington Post. I’d like to share of little of it with you.

“’A teacher believes there are no bad students, just challenging ones.
“’A teacher will question and teach her students how to question.
“’A teacher purchases extra supplies at the back-to-school sales because she knows there will be someone who needs them.
“’A teacher is saddened when a child with potential wastes it and sympathizes with the child who wants nothing more than to be able to “get it.
“’A teacher will stay up late grading papers and projects, writing comments and giving suggestions.
“’A teacher will step in front of the intruder to protect his students, the children, someone else’s baby.
“’A teacher will accommodate for a child’s needs so that child can be successful.
“’A teacher will tell any child “good job” for any simple or complex achievement.
“’A teacher will make the students cry, laugh, get really angry, and question why. A teacher will cry, laugh, get angry, and question why with that student.
“’A teacher educates every student to achieve his or her best and vanquish all roadblocks to that student’s success
“’A teacher often comes to work when it is still dark outside. A teacher will leave when it is dark again.
“’A teacher works on the weekends, on holidays, during the summer.
“’A teacher goes to graduation and hugs the student who disrespected them all year and whisper in that student’s ear, “I am so proud of you. I knew you could do it.”
“’A teacher thanks the parents for their support, even when they do not get it.
“’A teacher doesn’t tell a learning disabled student.  ‘Try harder’ but simply says, ‘Try again.’  She knows the student is already trying hard.
“’A teacher can never leave their work at the office.
“’A teacher’s day does not end when the buses pull out.
“’A teacher builds relationships and teaches the students to build relationships.
“’A teacher teaches students, not a subject matter.
“’A teacher never ever gives up.
“’A teacher is a gift. Cherish them’.”

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com