This week is Teacher Appreciation Week—a time for us to show the teachers our gratitude for all the hard work that they do, well…teaching you.  Some of you have written them notes, bought them gifts, or even have parents who will be serving them food throughout the week. 

But have you ever considered why it is that we would have a week for appreciating teachers.  Or, even more, of what it even means to teach?  Is it to stand in front of people and talk about something?  Does it mean simply to give tests and grades?  Is it mostly just explaining?  Or perhaps, is it the act of telling someone what they ought to think or know?

Well, it’s not exactly any of those things.  The word teach comes from Middle English, tēchen, and from Old English tæcan (just so you know, I have no idea if that’s how you actually pronounce those words…), both of which mean “to show” or “to point out.” 

In other words, your teachers are really directing your attention toward something that they want to show you.  What they are doing is essentially pointing you to something good.  And if you don’t yet know the way, then having someone willing and able to point you in the right direction and to show you the way—day in and day out—is actually a pretty extraordinary and wonderful thing worth appreciating, don’t you think? 

Nineteenth century poet Kobayashi Issa wrote a haiku that, in its own way, captures this art of teaching by pointing and showing:

        The man pulling radishes
Pointed the way
        With a radish.

Now, don’t focus too much on the radishes…but we should all be grateful for those pointing and showing you the way.

Have a wonderful day.