Behind every lesson plan, homework assignment, and lecture is a teacher who genuinely wants their students to succeed. While students often focus more on grades and assignments, teachers see the bigger picture; they are preparing their students for life.
Teachers are some of the most undervalued people in the workplace. They work hard daily with hundreds of students to prepare them to be “successful not only in the classroom but also in life,” said DeAnna Aurio, a health teacher at Danbury High School. Although students often feel pressured to get perfect scores, teachers want them to understand that effort and growth are just as important. Understanding the importance of collaboration, even with people we don’t get along with, Aurio says “it is still necessary to be able to learn to communicate and work together.”
Deadlines and schedules are not just for school; they are life skills. Aurio wishes students would understand that learning to manage time and responsibilities now will pay off in the future. Being “successful in life requires organization, knowing deadlines, and meeting them,” which according to Aurio, are some of the best skills she encourages in her students. One of the best ways to do this, as explained by Aurio, is by having her students put their phones away during class time and pay attention to what is occurring around them in the classroom. Doing so will allow students to learn and ensure they are “engaged in what they are doing” as teachers spend hours trying to find ways to get their students interested and moving around the classroom, said Aurio.
Life outside of school can be challenging. Teachers see students juggling jobs, relationships, friendships, family, mental illnesses, and so much more daily. As always, Aurio wants to remind her students that she will “always be here” for them.
Let this serve as a reminder that teachers do not just want students to memorize facts or ace tests; they want them to leave school prepared for the real world and hope they will take what they learned here to build themselves a successful life. So the next time you are in class, remember; that your teachers are rooting for you, and their advice is worth listening to.
