This morning, in honor of the final day of Teacher Appreciation Week, I took some time to reflect on the gratitude I feel for the teaching profession.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing incredible educators: from the few transformative teachers I had growing up, to my collaborators I observed during the years I was myself a teacher, to the amazing guides that have educated my three children over the past seven years, to the hundreds of teachers that work at Guidepost and ATI that I’ve observed and met. I also have the honor of counting as colleagues thousands more who I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting.
In reflecting, I was recalled to something Maria Montessori said about the importance of helping children feel gratitude towards the great individuals that have existed throughout human history:
“Let us in education always call the attention of children to the hosts of men and women who are hidden from the light of fame, so kindling a love of humanity; not the vague and anemic sentiment preached today as brotherhood, nor the political sentiment that the working classes should be redeemed and uplifted. What is most wanted is no patronizing charity for humanity, but a reverent consciousness of its dignity and worth.”
Montessori’s words were directed toward humanity generally, but they fit my feeling toward the role of the teacher. So often, the appreciation we culturally show towards great educators is a vague and anemic sentiment that we should care more about “our” teachers, a patronizing charity for the work and contribution, which actually reveals a lack of respect for the role.
What is most needed, in my view, is actually an appreciation for how elevated and rewarding this work is. What is most needed is a reverent consciousness of its dignity and worth.
A reverent consciousness of its dignity and worth. That is what I feel towards all of you and the work you do. Deep, deep gratitude not for your “sacrifice”, but for the fact you have created in yourself the type of character that finds meaning and joy in this great work. Sweeping admiration that is not a concessionary acknowledgment out of ignorance, but genuine respect drawn from firsthand knowledge of both the demands and the joys involved in the work, for the greatness of soul you have actually achieved.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of traveling with my son Hugo to all of our Florida schools (except Guidepost Jacksonville, which I will visit in a few weeks!), followed by a stop at our New York Museum Mile campus. Hugo joined the classroom at each school, and I had a chance both to observe his experience a bit, and to hear about his day each evening afterward.
What I saw, and what I felt, so powerfully it almost overwhelms me, is pure joyous admiration. The same emotion I experience when I observe an athlete perform exceptionally, or see a beautiful garden or an impeccably designed bridge—awe for the talent and soul behind the achievement. The achievement in this case is a capacity to know and love deeply, and to create a flourishing learning environment that reflects that knowledge and love.
That is what I want to thank you for. Not merely your dedication, which is beyond measure, but for your competence, your skill, your deep ability to guide and mentor and help children help themselves be the best they can be. For the way your character is actually shaping the lives of the children you serve.
Here is a video I recorded a few years ago, in which I share my appreciation for the great educators across our organization. It remains as true today. Thank you for doing the work you do, for being the type of elevated person that knows how meaningful it is, and for loving it with all your being.
Ray Girn
Chief Executive Officer
Higher Ground Education
www.tohigherground.com
Beautifully said!
😊 Thank you!