I did not cry on the inaugural day of school.It just wasn’t my style. My children were ready, and truthfully, so was I. But the last day? That hit different. The tears came, and they came fast because of the incredible teachers who’ve touched our lives.
We’re just starting out on our educational path, but already, the bar has been set remarkably high. These teachers—these everyday angels have given my children more than lessons in reading or numbers. They’ve given them love, safety, and kindness.
And that’s what matters most to me. Not perfect grades or milestones. But compassion. Each morning when I send my kids into the world, I pray they both receive and reflect kindness. Their teachers made sure of that.
Take my daughter, for instance. Her first day of pre-K was filled with excitement.. But by day three, the sparkle faded. She broke down in the parking lot, clinging to me, overwhelmed. I was seconds away from breaking too when her teacher stepped in. She gently asked the class to wait, got down to my daughter’s level, and wrapped her in a calm, reassuring hug. Then she looked me in the eye and simply said, “Go.” And I did because I saw my child completely relax in the arms of someone who truly cared. That moment built a bridge of trust, and we’ve walked across it ever since.
This week, we said goodbye. And that brought a fresh wave of emotion. How do you thank someone who’s helped shape your child’s soul? Someone who’s shown up daily, ready to lift them up?
My daughter, gifted but socially struggling, will start kindergarten soon. That brings its own anxiety. But after meeting with her future principal, who spoke with genuine care and shared plans for brain breaks, emotional support, and inclusive learning I left with hope. These educators see kids as individuals, not data points.
Then there’s my son. His teacher an autism specialist calls her job a dream come true. I observed that expressed in her own language. She chose this. She chose him.
These teachers didn’t just teach they carried us. They provided us room to exhale, to trust Their kindness allowed me, not just as a mother, but as a person, to exhale.
To all the teachers who love as if our children were their own: thank you. You’re the heart of this village.
