As National Teacher Appreciation Week is in full swing, the Miramonte community celebrates educators and staff. This year, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) across the nation honor teachers from May 6 to May 10.

“[Teachers’] unwavering commitment to our students’ learning journey is sincerely awe-inspiring. We want to show them that we recognize and value their tireless efforts, both inside and outside the classroom, and know that they shape the futures of our students long after they leave Miramonte,” the MHSPC said.

AUHSD’s Governing Board formalized the week’s significance at their May 1 meeting by passing a resolution on Teacher Appreciation Week, as well as declaring May 7 and May 8 as National Teacher Day and State Day of the Teacher respectively.

“Teachers fill many roles as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators, and mentors,” the resolution said. “They work to open students’ minds to ideas, knowledge, and dreams. … They are the backbone of our education system.”

To commemorate such a week, MHSPC organized four days of lunches for staff, with the district ordering coffee and bagels on Wednesday. MHSPC’s volunteer Staff Appreciation team set up before, served at, and cleaned up after the events. For the 2023-2024 year, parents Darien Destino, Stefanie Murphy, Amy Perusse, and Susan Scott comprised the staff appreciation volunteer team.

“Expressing gratitude is so important in general. When you’re in the service profession like teaching, it feels really great to get that recognition and appreciation for your efforts from your students and their parents,” public speaking teacher Kirsten Plant said.

Staff appreciation extends far beyond this week. The Staff Appreciation team received a budget of $12,000 to host not only Teacher Appreciation Week but also a host of other staff appreciation events.

“Our 120 teachers and staff have enjoyed a tailgate lunch in September, custodian treats in October, an Italian lunch in October, a Vietnamese lunch in December, a Valentine’s Day treat table in February, a Spring picnic and St. Patrick’s Day treats in March,” MHSPC said.

While the appreciation events this year have run their course, parents can still take part in honoring staff and educators by garnering donations and volunteering. “When we unite the passion and commitment of our superstar educators with parents’ financial support, the result is an exceptional high school experience for our students,” MHSPC said. 

Finally, students themselves expressed gratitude for educator and staff contributions to the Miramonte community. “Teachers spend a lot of time preparing us for the rest of our lives and creating their course curriculum, so I think it’s important that we show our gratitude to them for making us better people,” junior Megan Chong said. 

According to Plant, the best way students can show gratitude is hand write a letter to their favorite teachers and staffers. The Wellness Center and some teachers, including Plant, host letter-writing events in class and during lunch to encourage students to take part in Teacher Appreciation Week.

“I think there’s something special about going through the trouble to hand-write a few words of affirmation and recognition to someone,” Plant said. “It’s so meaningful.”