2nd Annual Teacher Appreciation Challenge (and Giveaway)

I am very excited to start the 2nd Annual Teacher Appreciation Challenge. If you didn't have a chance to participate last year, read over the linked post when you get a chance! It was great to have the handful of people (that I know of) participate.

This year the challenge will be a little bit different and I am hoping for a HUGE number of participants. This year, we won't be looking to the past, after all, we only have so many teachers? Right!

This year my challenge is to focus on a teacher that you WORK with, know about, or aspire to be like. I hope that you will read over the challenge rules below and choose to participate. It is actually quite simple and you could win you some awesome-sauce prizes. But, more importantly, we are working together to let the world know that we have amazing people working with the future leaders, doctors, lawyers, workers, farmers, and so much more-'ers'! Don't be shy, read on, and join the movement!

How it works:
1- You will need to choose a colleague (current or past) that you want to acknowledge.
2- Let them know how much you appreciate them. This could be done with a card, e-mail, Facebook message, phone call, blog post, or face-to-face.
3- Blog about the annual challenge (using the graphic above) and highlight the chosen person. (For those who don't have a blog, you could do a Facebook write up as well- if you don't use social media, then leave your "story" in the comments section of this posting). The post could simply be the teacher's name and why you appreciate them, or, you could write-up an in-depth blog post about the person.  Try to inspire YOUR blog readers to join the challenge!
4-Link your blog post to THIS post so that all those who participate after reading YOUR post can add their link to the 2nd Annual Teacher Appreciation linky below.
5- Add the url of your blog post in the linky below. (Make sure it is the URL of your post about your highlighted person, and not just your general blog url!) The linky will close on May 10th at 10:30pm (MDT).

One lucky person who links their blog post in the linky below will win a $10 TpT Gift Certificate and their choice of two items (non-bundled) from my store! The linky program will randomly choose a winner on Saturday, May 11th. You will need to check back to see if you won so you can contact me with your email.

I am sure that sounded more difficult that it really is, so a recap:
1- Choose a teacher
2- Let them know they are awesome
3- Blog about it, use the challenge logo above in your post (required)
4-In your post, link back to this post so others can join
5-Once you post your blog post about your chosen teacher, link the url OF THE POST (not just your blog address) in the linky below.
6- Wait to see if you are the lucky winner.

See- easy-peasy! Now get out there and start appreciating your fellow teachers!

-Mr. Hughes

Since I can not win a prize in my OWN drawing, I am going to do MY teacher appreciation post as part of this one! I can't wait to have you blog and post about your own star teacher!

   

 The teacher that I am going to highlight this year is Jane Friel. Jane was my second administrator and a great teacher for me. I have been trying for three days to locate her so I could let her know personally how much I appreciated her example, firmness, and (at times) demanding attitude. I learned how to bring the best out in my students because she continually pushed me to do my absolute best. I learned so much from the way she modeled strategies in faculty meetings and team meetings. I will be forever grateful to her for the many lessons I learned and hope that one day soon I will be able to tell her that face to face as I keep looking for her current assignment. Thank you Jane, and may you have a fantastic Teachers Appreciation week!
   

The Challenge Comes to an End, Winner Announced!

Well dear blogging friends and readers,
I have been pleased with the many responders of this challenge. I am almost positive that there were many more participants than I will ever know about. I just wanted to thank those who participated, and those who spread the word. We will be back again next year with a different and exciting challenge.

The winner of the free item from my Teacher's Pay Teachers site is Mindy's Musings. If you are the winner, click HERE (or if you want to see what items I am selling in my store you can click as well). The winner needs to leave a comment on this blog with the item they would like and a way to contact them. DO NOT try to purchase it from the site. I will e-mail the file to you.

Again, thanks for all who participated, it was a pleasure to read about those who truly inspired you!

Later...

Will YOU Take the Challenge, UPDATE!

So, it has been about two days since the challenge was given. Here is an update of a FEW people that have participated. I am sure there are more (at least I HOPE this is more). It has been wonderful to see the challenge spread and be accepted by so many bloggers and others. I wanted to share the links to those few I know about.

Mindy's Musings left a wonderful tribute to her parents and other teachers who have helped her. Be sure to check it out.

Teacherself is a new blogging friend I have made through all this. I just LOVE the tribute that was given on her site. I think you will really enjoy her journey through the education system.

A Questions for the Teacher has also issued the challenge to her readers. Again, I have appreciated meeting new friends through this challenge.

Keep spreading the word! Keep encouraging those around you to remember and show appreciation for those teachers in their lives.

 If you have participated or are still planning too, thanks so much. Remember to leave a comment on the post that can be found HERE to be eligible for the prize drawing on Sunday. Also, when you comment, leave a link to your post there are well so other's can read about those that have most affected your life!

Keep It Up Team!

Later...

Will YOU take the Annual Teacher Appreciation Challenge?

Greetings!

It is that time of year again, where teachers get to stand back and be appreciated for all their hard work.

Well...okay.

It is that time of year again where teachers fantasize about being able to stand back and have their students tell them thank you. You know what I am talking about, THANK YOU , APPRECIATE YOU, YOU ROCK! In my dream world it would sound something like this: "Thank you, Mr. H,  for helping me, guiding me, supporting me, nagging me, disciplining me, loving me, cheering for me, always greeting me, teasing me, making me laugh, spending your own money to help me learn, defending me, protecting me, celebrating with me when I finally understand, worrying about me 'til you can't even sleep, hoping for me, praying for me, high five'n me, and above all, valuing me as a person.

I know, I know, I know.

It really isn't about glory, praise, or even monetary thoughtfulness. (Although those things aren't a BAD thing!). It really is about the things that I would love to be thanked for (see above).

The real gift for a teacher is when you have a special "aha" moment with a student, or when a student makes you laugh, or, better yet, when they walk in Monday morning and greet you BEFORE you can even say hello. These examples of simple, yet hope building moments are my favorite.

So...

Would a card be nice? Yes.
Would a gift rock? Absolutely (just not candles)
Would a letter or note from a parent or student be loved and read over and over? Yuppers!

But, those things really aren't what Teacher Appreciation is really all about. It is about letting a teacher you currently have, or have had in the past know what a difference they have made in your life.

So, I want to thank some special teachers in MY life-

Mrs. Q was an amazing teacher (2nd grade). Not only did she help me learn to be obedient, she taught me the wonder of reading Roald Dahl books. I will forever be grateful to her for that. (Not to mention we had the coolest loft and fish tank EVER!

Mrs. D was my 5th grade teacher. She was scary yet awesome. She bought us a book off every book order that we would read together. She had a mini-pond in the MIDDLE of the classroom floor. She loved books as well and shared stories with us often. We also got to earn tokens (poker chips) and then trade them for cools "stuff" once a month. I remember buying my mom a mini-doll. Good times those were!

Ms. Z was my 6th grade teacher. The funniest part about that is that she is still teaching 6th grade in my district and we see each other often. She taught me that friendship isn't just about being popular. She also taught me that Gordon Korman writes AWESOME books and I still share those with my students every year. She helped me understand money and how to save and spend it with a class banking system!

In High School (we don't have a middle school/jr. high here in town) the first teacher that comes to mind is my father, Mr. Hughes. He was not only my history teacher and my class adviser for 6 years, but he was my dad! Oh, everyone thought that I had it easy with my father being my teacher- W-R-O-N-G! I never got away with anything, he saw my report card before I did, and if a teacher ever had a problem with me, I was in his classroom in a heartbeat. Yes, I learned to appreciate my father as a teacher, AND as a father. Being in those same shoes this year and teaching my own son, it is a very rocky road to travel, and my father handled it MUCH better than I am. Thanks dad!

Miss J was one of my most favorite teachers. Not only did she help me develop a deep love for music, but she encouraged me to compose music. Under her watchful eye, I wrote many musical pieces for the high school choirs as well as many instrumental pieces for piano and various band instruments. She is truly on of the greats when it comes to teachers.

Mr. P was also a favorite. Although as students we were scared to ask for help (and we would often take turns asking about a problem and then explain it to the group) I learned more about math in those 6 years than I think I learned about math my entire life. It was hard, it was tough, and I wanted to quit A LOT! But, everyday, he helped our class try again, and again, and again. Thanks Mr. P!

I have to thank Julie Meyers, Jane Friel, Helen Gurr, Karen Empey, Gina Ellis, and Whitney White. These are some REALLY special people from Alpine School District. They were really my first mentors and colleagues.  I learned SO much from each of them.

I also had several favorite college teachers. Most recently, I have to thank Claudia, whom, with out her help, patience, and guidance, I would NEVER have graduated from the University of Utah with my Masters in Educational Leadership. I can't tell you thank you enough Claudia, you are truly one amazing adviser and mentor. I ALMOST wish I was still in school so I could continue to learn from you- ALMOST!

Mr. Z is on the list too. Not only has he been an inspiration over the last two year I have know him, he is truly a teacher worthy of his most recent acknowledgement- "Teacher of the Year". Congrats Mr. Amazing. Thanks for all your ideas, support, and friendship.


And, I can't end this post with out thanking the faculty I currently work with. We have a pretty amazing group of teachers here at the elementary. Ms. D, Mrs. Q, Mrs. H, Mrs. Q, Mrs. N, Mrs. S, Mr. P, Mr. J, and Mrs. T. (It looks funny when you only type their initial). I want to let YOU know that I appreciate all your hard work for the students of our community and support of me and my noisy, crazy ways of teaching. You are one FANTASTIC faculty!

I am sure I have missed a few teachers, but as I sit here on the eve of Teacher Appreciation Week, these are the teachers that come to mind.

Thank you,
THANK you,
Thank YOU,
THANK YOU!

Now, for the challenge!

     I challenge you to blog about, send an e-mail to, write a card to, send a small gift to, whatever- the THREE to FIVE most influential teachers that have affected your life! Remember to say WHO they are and what the did to make a difference!

The Reward?

Well, the reward is letting teachers know that YOU care. But there needs to be something given to those who make an effort. So, when you have accomplished your mission, leave a comment about it ON THIS POST! (Facebook comments, etc do NOT count!).

 Next Sunday, I will do a drawing and ONE lucky winner will win ONE FREE item from my TpT store (see below for more info)! If I don't know you, be sure to leave a way to contact you! :) 

Now GO.... APPRECIATE A TEACHER, OR THREE,  OR FIVE!

Good Luck and thanks for letting a few teachers know you appreciate them!

Later....


P.S.
I have started selling some of my lessons, ideas, and shortly my musical compositions that are classroom-tested and student approved on Teachers Pay Teachers (or TpT). For the next three days, they are have a Teacher Appreciation Sale, where you get an additional 10% off reduced prices from sellers. (I am offering 15% off for these three days + the 10% 0ff from TpT= 25% off my offerings! Wahoo!)

Click the picture below to be taken to my store. Check out sales there and on the entire site! Don't forget to click on the "Follow Me" button on my store's site to be notified of new products!

Share the TpT Store Sale with ALL your friends!

Have a great day and week teachers- YOU HAVE EARNED IT!