Dr. Viola M. Garcia, President of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), made the following statement in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week:

“I want to sincerely acknowledge and thank the professional educators of America for serving in one of the most noble of human endeavors. It is with dedication, a strong work ethic, and a continuous eye on the future, that educators care for and educate over 51 million public schoolchildren.

“Through all the difficult challenges of the past year, educators have continued to enrich the formation and development of our most precious future leaders, our young people. If, as a society, we are to come out of the pandemic with only one lesson, it should be a recognition of the importance of public education and the individuals who, day in and day out, take on the invaluable task of supporting and teaching our students.

“Research tells us that, of the many factors that contribute to students’ success, good teachers top the list, followed by effective principals, high-level curriculum and extra support for struggling students. And yet, given the research and the important role they undertake, teachers are chronically underappreciated and underpaid.

“For these reasons and more, our nation’s educators deserve our thanks not only during Teacher Appreciation Week, but during every week of the year.”