Friday, February 15, 2013 was a special day at Fox Hill School. It was a day that students and all staff gathered in the cafeteria to share student interpretations for their meaning of “hero” and their examples of everyday heroes. I began the assembly recognizing a student hero in grades K-2 and a student hero in grades 3-5. My interpretation of a hero is someone who is motivated to persist and to stay positive as they work through challenges. After I recognized our student heroes, I recognized our everyday heroes, our teachers, who are always there for our students no matter what it takes to ensure student success. I wrote and shared this poem at the assembly to communicate to students and to teachers how important our teachers are to their students and to the Fox Hill School community.
Teachers Are Heroes
Your teacher is my hero because she is always there
to greet you in the morning with a smile.
to greet you in the morning with a smile.
Your teacher is my hero because he helps
you find your pencil when he knows you need one.
you find your pencil when he knows you need one.
Your teacher is my hero because she makes you laugh
and sings “Happy Birthday” to you in her funky silly way.
and sings “Happy Birthday” to you in her funky silly way.
Your teacher is my hero because she puts her arm around you
when you are sad and says “it’s okay” and helps you find your way.
when you are sad and says “it’s okay” and helps you find your way.
Your teacher is my hero because she knows you can do it
and always expects your best.
and always expects your best.
Your teacher is my hero because she has a sparkle
in her eye that makes you laugh.
in her eye that makes you laugh.
Your teacher is my hero because he plays
with you at recess.
with you at recess.
Your teacher is my hero because she calls home
just to tell your parents you had a great day.
just to tell your parents you had a great day.
Your teacher is my hero because she ties your shoe
when you need her to and asks you to tie your shoes
when she knows you can.
when you need her to and asks you to tie your shoes
when she knows you can.
Your teacher is my hero because he looks for and
shares books he knows you like.
shares books he knows you like.
Your teacher is my hero because she dries
your tears and says “let’s try again.”
your tears and says “let’s try again.”
Your teacher is my hero because she is your teacher!
After I took time to honor our student and teacher heroes, each classroom teacher was presented with a book made by students in their classroom. This was a happy and unexpected surprise for teachers as Mrs. Settelen, Mrs. Dwyer, Ms. Martin and I worked with students behind the scenes to create a book to honor each classroom teacher. Once teachers received their books, the real fun and inspiration began as each classroom or grade level team presented creative projects that represented their thoughts about “Heroes.” Students in grades 1 and 2 wrote about their special heros that included moms, dads, sisters, brothers, friends, custodians, bus drivers and of course their teachers! In Grade 3, teachers worked as a team and shared their collective interpretation for what an everyday hero looks like both physically and in character. Grade 3 students worked together to create a beautiful TIME magazine cover entitled “Hero of the Year” that captured different traits characteristic of an everyday hero. This beautiful “Time” magazine cover is hanging on the wall in our main office. Grade 4 teachers also worked as a team to create a collage of everyday people that captured the different attributes characteristic of an everyday hero. It was inspiring to listen and view their beautiful collective work. In grade 5, Mr. Norman’s class created a mural that represented their collective thoughts for what it means to be a “Hero.” Mrs. Jaffe and Mrs. Lee created and awarded certificates to special heroes in each student’s life and finally, Mrs. Farrell created a student developed video that captured the essence of what a hero means to them.
