Dear Teachers,

I didn’t realize how much I appreciated you until I had to do your job.
I didn’t acknowledge your passion to show up day in and day out until I had to do your job.
I didn’t feel the weight of our future generations that you carry until I had to do your job.
I didn’t get the dedication you had for my child until I had to do your job.
I didn’t recognize the creativity you had to keep my child engaged until I had to do your job.
I didn’t understand the sacrifice you make every day for my child so they could learn by whatever means possible.
I didn’t grasp your patience until I had to do your job.
I didn’t replicate the schedule you keep so perfectly.
I didn’t realize how much we desperately needed you until I had to do your job because I took you for granted.
I thought I got your job but I really didn’t get your job until I had to do your job.
From a parent to a teacher, I am truly sorry.
I realize what the world would be like without you and all the other amazing teachers.
And it’s scary.
In these circumstances you still show up when we couldn’t even step out to teach my child!
The texts.
The calls.
The emails.
The videos.
The packets.
You are making sure my child get the education they need and deserve, the education I can’t give them.
Thank you for being a teacher.
Thank you for teaching my child.
Thank you for choosing this job.
I know it’s so much for than just a job for you.
I get it now.
You are heroes, you are a special class employee and I miss you.

-A mom that’s not a teacher