Merritt Brown Middle School rolls out the red carpet for Teacher Appreciation We

Posted by Bengtsson on May 5th, 2016

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Many teachers will tell you, theirs can sometimes be a thankless job. But this week local schools are making an effort to tell teachers how much they are appreciated.

Merritt Brown was among the schools celebrating with a star studded show of appreciation that was well received.

"I was sitting there and talking with my co-workers and eating and I completely forgot I was here at work," Irene Clark said. "I was like, 'Oh I have to go back to class!'"

The eighth grade teacher was fully enjoying the Italian lunch and red carpet experience the school administrators rolled out for fellow teachers and support staff.

This week is meant to draw attention to teachers and staff for the work they do on a daily basis.

"It is nice when somebody stops and says, 'Hey we know how hard you work and we appreciate what you do,'" Language Arts Teacher Nina Treadway said.

Each year Principal Charlotte Marshall said she tries to "one-up" last year's celebration for her teachers.

"Everybody who's anybody had to go through a teacher," she said.

She, too, knows the effect just one teacher can have on a student.

"Her name was Katie Lee Smith, she's still alive," she said, remembering her kindergarten teacher. "And she still influences me today."

Longtime teachers say they've seen a big shift in the teaching role in the past few years. Some of the change is good.

"I think it keeps us fresh and on our toes," Treadway said.

Some of it, however, they say they could do without.

"The paperwork has changed and the emphasis changed," Clark said. "And I'd like to see it go back to the student."

"Those kids' performance on these state tests affect and impact their [teacher's] evaluation," Marshall said.

These teachers said they don't work for the recognition, but a little goes a long way.

"We would love for the lawmakers to come and walk a mile in our shoes," Marshall said. "I think until you see students as people instead of dollars, you can't really do what's best for kids."

They hope the community of parents and students view them as they see themselves.

"It's all because we care about each one of them individually," Treadway said.

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"Diligent, hard working, self sacrificing, whether it's of our time or of our money," Clark said, "truly having the best interest of our student at heart."

Teacher Appreciation Week continues throughout the rest of this week in Bay District schools.

Thursday is Academy Awards day for the teachers at Merritt Brown.

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