As Teachers Appreciation Week unfolds, the nation takes a moment to recognize the profound influence educators have on individuals and communities. Ashlie Crosson, the 2025 U.S. National Teacher of the Year from Pennsylvania, issued a heartfelt open letter to fellow educators, urging the public to reflect on the vital role teachers play in shaping futures. According to Crosson, a teacher’s impact isn’t solely visible through standardized tests or polished essays but through the lasting impressions they leave on the lives they touch. From families to local businesses, many acknowledge that their journeys to success began with a teacher who believed in them.
That belief, Crosson emphasizes, is at the core of the profession. “Every day, teachers look at our students and see in them the next banker, inventor, architect, engineer, writer or Olympic medalist,” she wrote. This daily affirmation of student potential, she noted, is both a privilege and a responsibility — a foundation upon which future generations are built.
The Joy and Responsibility of Teaching shown in Teachers Appreciation Week
Crosson described teaching as more than the delivery of content or the management of classrooms. It is, she said, the nurturing of future leaders, creators, and changemakers — individuals who will one day leave their own mark on the world. From teaching basic life skills to guiding complex intellectual exploration, educators do far more than prepare students academically; they shape character and cultivate confidence.
She acknowledged that in the face of ongoing challenges within the education system — from resource shortages to shifting academic standards — accepting appreciation can feel undeserved or even uncomfortable. However, Crosson argued that teachers must model self-worth and gratitude for their students. “By accepting gratitude, understanding our impact and believing in our worth — especially when we ourselves remain a work in progress — we help our students learn to embrace these attributes for themselves,” she wrote.
A Collective Celebration of Teaching and Community
Teachers Appreciation Week, Crosson emphasized, is not just about applauding individual educators. It is a broader celebration of the act of teaching — a collective effort involving school staff, families, and entire communities. By entrusting educators with their children, families demonstrate faith in the public school system every day. In return, teachers reciprocate through dedication, care, and commitment to student growth.
“America’s teachers and the schools they serve strengthen communities by supporting our students, cultivating our classrooms, and fostering the future of our union,” Crosson concluded. Her words highlight the deeply interconnected relationship between educators and society — a bond built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a better future.
As the week continues, schools, parents, and organizations across the country are encouraged to show appreciation not just with tokens of thanks, but with a renewed commitment to supporting teachers and the vital work they do.
