It’s Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for all that we have. My youngest daughter, Kyra, just brought home a beautiful turkey from her 2nd-grade classroom. Each feather captures something that she is thankful for.

The typical things showed up on her list—my mom, my dad, my pets. The not-so-typical things also showed up—hunting, wilderness, and birthdays. And then something that is so important showed up—school and teachers!

As a mom of two girls and four stepsons, I have a heightened level of appreciation, respect and absolute admiration for the great teachers out there. So this week I took time to collect a few stories from several different districts.

School District – Cumberland, WI
Teacher – Emalee Stowell
From – Anonymous
“Mrs. Stowell goes above and beyond to help out her 4k students and families. She helps make transitioning into school an easy and fun experience.”

School District – Cameron, WI
Teacher – Mrs. Jenneman
From – Walter
“I am thankful for Mrs. Jenneman’s because she is nice and helps me learn to write my name!”

School District – New Auburn, WI
Teacher – Too many to mention, I might miss someone and don’t want them to feel left out.
From – Bonnie Halberg
“We are a small school and so many of our teachers go above and beyond in caring not only for their student’s learning, but helping them with so many other things in their lives that make such an impact on these kids’ lives. Thank you. You all know who you are; you are the ones that really care and take the time to be there for your students no matter what they need. Thanks so much for caring so deeply.”

School District – St. Paul’s Catholic School in Bloomer, WI
Teacher – Tom Ruf
From – Richelle Seibel
“Mr. Ruf has taught two of my daughters science in Jr High. He is a very thoughtful, caring, fun, intelligent teacher. My girls will talk about so many learning experiences they have had in his classroom, not just science but overall study habits and what being a good Christian person is all about. We are blessed and thankful to have him as a teacher in our school. I am looking forward to my third daughter having him as a teacher next year. A big shout of, “Thank you, Mr. Ruf!!”

School District – Flambeau, WI
Teacher – Ron Cerveny
From – Katrina Haugsby
“Mr.Cerveny [is] a wonderful teacher and great person overall. He has a way with teaching that captures the students’ curiosity and challenges the minds of those students. Being his senior assistant I really learned a lot from him. And I always enjoyed talking to him after class, or during my assistant hour…coming back and helping out around the lab was just a small way of thanking him for all he has done for me! I hope he realizes the impact he had, not just on me, but also for many other students. Coming back to that classroom is like a home away from home; he’s created such a welcoming environment and I think a lot of people can sense that. It’s rare to find a teacher like Mr.Cerveny—definitely a one-of-a-kind. Being able to have conversations and then joke and laugh about some silly chemistry joke is rare. His class lessons helped me get through school; his life lessons will stay with me for years to come. Thank you very much for setting me on the right path, for understanding my humor, and for seeing my potential. You have my utmost respect and I need you to know how much I’ve appreciated your lessons over the years. ‘If it doesn’t challenge you; it doesn’t change you,’”

School District – Chippewa Falls, WI
Teacher – Every teacher, Nurse Julie, Health Aide Joyce Speath, Counselor Jen Ebner, and all staff who help protect our kids every day. The dietary staff and custodians and the bus drivers!
From – Michelle Monson
“The Chippewa Falls School District has been great! I’ve never had to worry about my son who has Type 1 Diabetes! My daughter has Celiac and the school district has been very accommodating. That’s a great feeling! I cannot say enough about them. I’d like to just say THANK YOU!”

If you have a teacher you’d like to thank today, just comment below, or shout it out on Facebook or Twitter today. They need to hear it today, and all year long.

Thank you, teachers!!