Teacher Appreciation Week - May 5-9

Each year our nation celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week during the first week of May. As a district, we believe it is important to recognize the tremendous dedication our teachers show as they diligently work to prepare our students for their future that rests beyond the walls of the schools in Pflugerville ISD.

It thrills me to visit campuses and to see our teachers at work in the classroom. I come away from each visit with a renewed respect for the time, energy and pure heart that they invest in their students. They are truly artists as they prepare creative lessons and activities to engage all learners in the classroom and meet each child’s learning needs and style.

Teachers must teach lessons, assess the students’ understanding, and then reteach and reinforce the concepts to ensure that each student achieves mastery. In addition to their instructional responsibilities, teachers spend countless hours taking on the role of mentor, parent, counselor, nurse, and social worker to the students they serve. Students regularly report to me that their teachers go the extra mile to help them succeed.

I am most impressed by today’s teachers because their job has become increasingly difficult. Being an effective teacher is no easy task, particularly in today’s climate of high-stakes accountability and the number of federal and state mandates that exist. Teachers in PISD have a work ethic that cannot be matched, and they demonstrate a positive spirit in all they do. Throughout our district I can feel the positive climate that is reflected in smiles, laughter, and a healthy collegiality.

A Japanese proverb says, "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher." Students in our community are blessed that they are able to spend not just one day with a great teacher, but the entirety of their years as students in PISD.

It is no coincidence that we chose this week to hold our annual employee recognition banquet, where we will name our elementary and secondary teachers of the year, and honor the 26 campus teachers of the year. That story will be on the District website on Friday – be sure to visit the page to see which deserving teachers were selected.

Please join me in recognizing and honoring the hundreds of outstanding teachers employed by Pflugerville ISD. These dedicated educators are hard at work preparing Each Child for Their Future in Our World.

Charles E. Dupre
Superintendent of Schools

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