NICS Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week
5/8 – 5/11: NICS Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week
Segment by: Zachary Koontz, 5/13/17
NICS is full of great teachers who spend each and every day devoted to helping students like us get to where we need to be for our future. This past week, from Monday, May 8th to Thursday, May 11th, was the annual marking of Teacher Appreciation Week. Each year, there is a week set aside to honor these teachers, and show them the respect and trust we have for them. They are doing this not because getting a job teaching at a private Christian school pays well (because, by the way, it doesn’t) but because they were called to.
A few students wanted to pay their regards to the staff and faculty as we went through this Teacher Appreciation Week, so I asked them to talk about a couple of things they admire and like to see in the character of our North Idaho Christian School teachers. Rachel Simmons, part of the senior class of 2017, said, “I admire the honesty, respectfulness, and determination these teachers show.” Another student valued how the teachers “spend time getting to know their students better.” Even that little bit of face-to-face time spent getting to know your students can make a world of difference. Teachers can help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, and can mentor and grow the students as they make those strengths stronger and those weaknesses less and less affecting.
Teachers provide valuable insight and information into the subjects they teach, but what do some other students find important and valuable in being a teacher here at NICS? “The devotion to making NICS great again.” says Sophomore Daniel Niemann. Janitor and student Joseph Cockle commented, “They give me money, and I value their giving. Then again, I do work here…” Rachel Simmons had a little more to say. “What’s important in being a teacher and working with students is the encouragement – lots of encouragement.” It’s also important to notice their care. They actually do want us to succeed, and will do everything in their power to make sure we grasp the concepts and facts we need to go on to college or enter the workforce once we graduate. A few teachers offer tutoring, some allow students to come in during lunch or before and after school to have help on certain problems or subjects we might be struggling with.
Overall, the students are so grateful for the teachers and the work that they do to improve our skills and get us ready for what lies beyond the wooden doors, white plaster, and blue lockers. So on behalf of the students at North Idaho Christian School, I want to give a big thanks to all our NICS teachers on this 2017 Teacher Appreciation Week.
Titus 2:7-8
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.