TTU National Teacher Appreciation Week

Tennessee Tech is finding new ways to celebrate teachers after cancelling the the 6th Annual College of Education and Teacher Appreciation Awards

Associate Dean of the College of Education Julie Baker said the traditional celebration includes over a hundred teachers being recognized. This year, they are asking students to express their gratitude for teachers through phone or social media.

“This year, it is more important than ever to show our appreciation for our teachers,” Baker said. “It has been a rough year, a rough semester, and teachers have had to be so flexible.”

Baker said a great way to make a teacher feel appreciated is telling stories on how he or she has impacted your life.

“One of the most rewarding times you can have as a teacher is knowing five years later, ten years later or 25 years later, the students remembers you made a difference in his or her life.” Baker said.

Baker said teachers are doing a tremendous job of finding new virtual ways to encourage and motivate students while still educating.

“Everyone in our community sees this,” Baker said. “Everyone is impacted by this. I have seen it with my own children, and I have a neighbor who is a teacher, so I hear the ways she is communicated with her students.”

Another way Tech is appreciating teachers are by writing messages on local billboards throughout the Cookeville area.