The week of May 5 is nationally recognized as Teacher Appreciation Week, during which students often give their teachers gift cards or other acknowledgements of appreciation for all that they do.

The Teaching Academy is even selling Teacher Appreciation Grams in the cafeteria during both A and B lunches from Monday, April 28 to Friday, May 2 in celebration.

Each gram costs $1 and students can purchase them for the teacher or teachers of their choice. The money made by the sale of the Teacher Appreciation Grams is used to fund competitions and projects that the Teaching Academy participates in. The grams include a note and candy, and they are going to be given to teachers throughout Teacher Appreciation Week.

“Teacher appreciation shows how much you care about the effort they put into providing an education for you,” freshman Adiah Ford said. “Because they work so hard to make sure you’re learning, it’s good to return the favor by simply saying something like thank you.”

To many students, Teacher Appreciation Week is an important time. It gives them the opportunity to celebrate teachers and all they do for students.

“I feel every teacher should have a week dedicated to them,” sophomore Ava Kelleher said. “Our teachers do so much for our school. I’m glad there is a week where everyone can celebrate how important they are for everything they do for us and our school.”

Teachers have always been a reliable source of knowledge and trust for students, especially from a young age.

“Now that it is my last year of high school, I understand my teachers have done a great deal for me, even since elementary school,” senior Olivia Lechowski said. “Even if they were just checking in on me, my teachers have always been able to make me feel good about myself.”

Students show their appreciation for their teachers in various ways. Some choose to make cards while others bake treats or buy gifts for them.

“Teacher appreciation is important because our teachers do so much to ensure we are prepared for the future. They constantly inspire and motivate us to reach our full potential,” sophomore Rania Ismail said. “This week, I’ll be showing appreciation to my teachers by baking treats to give to them.”

Teacher Appreciation Week is an event many find very important to recognize as it gives Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s hardworking, dedicated teachers the opportunity to feel appreciated by their students.