May 3, 2020

Message from the Superintendent 

Teacher Appreciation Week

Greetings GBSD Staff, Families, and Community -  

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4th - May 8th, and it is a special time of the year to acknowledge, recognize, and to say thank you to those who share a passion for preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs, contractors, scientist, electricians, engineers, politicians, doctors, business leaders, mechanics, the engaged citizenry, so on - and just as importantly - preparing the next generation of teachers.  Teachers make every career and profession possible but not without their dedicated heart-work.  

 The challenges in and outside of the classroom have never been greater - yet, our teachers are passionate, committed, and spend time each day engaging with students. All the while, like many of you, they are navigating their own family through the challenges brought forth by the Coronavirus.  With an abundance of grace, flexibility, and through an equitable lens - each teacher has shown a true commitment to reengaging, reconnecting, and reinventing instructional delivery, as evident in our distance learning continuity efforts.  Their efforts are certain to help inspire, empower, and to ensure that each Gresham-Barlow School District (GBSD) student is prepared to thrive.  

So, throughout Teacher Appreciation Week - let's all honor, celebrate, and show some love for our teachers. There are many ways to do this - but I will offer a few, too.  The first option is to honor a teacher or colleague in your own way by sending an email or note of thanks. You can do so by clicking on this link from Teacher2Teacher to create a message of appreciation for a teacher or a colleague. The choice is truly yours.  

You can also submit a message, photo, or video to the Gresham-Barlow School District’s online submission page. We extended this invitation to families last week through our social media channels, and several of you have already submitted your messages of thanks!

Additionally, borrowing from my colleagues in Houston ISD, I would like to offer another way to honor, celebrate, and share your love for a teacher or colleague through a social media campaign entitled - “GET EMOJI-TIONAL.”  Throughout the week - share  photos, videos, special messages to them - along with an EMOJI and #HASHTAG -- #GBSDTeacherLove 

Let’s all show our #GBSDTeacherLove with the following “EMOJI-TIONAL” posting options. 

• LOVE ( ❤️ )- how they have inspired or empowered you in special ways

• LIKE ( 👍 )  - what’s happening or what’s going well in their virtual classroom

• CELEBRATE ( 🎉 ) their achievements (special awards & recognition) or their service 

On behalf of the GBSD School Board, Gresham-Barlow Education Association (GBEA), the district leadership team, building administrators, and the students we all serve - we would like to extend a local gift certificate to each GBSD Teacher on Wednesday, May 6th.  Each school will communicate more details about the local gift certificates. Later that same day, I will honor the 2020 GBSD Excellence in Teaching Award (Teacher of the Year) via the GBSD Facebook Live link. Watch for these celebrations highlighted on our social media channels of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Stay Tuned! 

May everyone in the Gresham-Barlow School District have an amazing Teacher Appreciation Week! We love and appreciate each GBSD teacher.

#GBSDTeacherLove️ ❤️