On the week of May 6-May 10, Naugatuck High School celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week to show appreciation to its teachers within the building.
Principal John Harris planned various activities for teachers as well as students for Teacher Appreciation Week.
“We have three things going on… around the building we left a big yellow sheet of paper in every teacher’s door. I think that the thing that makes teachers happy the most on Teacher appreciation week is knowing that their students appreciate them,” said Mr. Harris, in an interview with The Greyhound.
NHS students, throughout this week, were allowed to leave messages of appreciation for their teachers if they happen to walk by their yellow paper. Other teachers and administrators were also allowed to leave messages to their fellow colleagues.
“We are playing a faculty game of survivor this week… in the lobby there is a wheel for them to spin that has different challenges and some prizes… there’s a couple of funny [challenges] but there’s mostly like give a kind note to a colleague, give somebody a little treat, things like that to encourage them to appreciate each other,” Mr. Harris added.
“Being a true competitor this challenge has been fun for me! Teachers don’t teach to be appreciated for doing their job, but it is nice to hear when we are doing a good job or have made a positive impression on our students!” Mrs. Jennifer Stone said in an interview with The Greyhound.
On Friday, May 10th it was announced that Mrs. Shannon Shea-Lyons is the winner of the Teacher’s challenge.
Mr. Harris also shared an annual tradition that administrators do for teachers during Teacher’s Appreciation Week.
“…Every year we do a big cook out for the teachers all of the administrators, so me, Mr. Leary, Mr. Mariano, Mrs. Mezzo… we’ll get a big grill and cook everyone some hotdogs for them for lunch and that’s always just a nice way to show our appreciation for them,” said Mr. Harris.
Mr. Harris also shared a message that he would like to tell all teachers:
“…I think that this school year has felt like a normal school year for the first time in a really long time, and I think that it’s down to what our teacher’s do day in and day out to make classrooms that are warm and inviting for students, they go above and beyond in trying to build relationships with [students] all while designing lessons that are engaging, that are interesting, that keep you learning, and for me, this year has been really an absolute joy and I’m so grateful for the work that they do day in and day out because this school wouldn’t be what it is without them.”
