Teacher Appreciation Reflection

This past Wednesday, I walked into New Hope Christian Academy still carrying the exhaustion of jet lag, preparing for a school trip with our students. Then, in a moment, everything changed.

My husband, Kurt — who lovingly drives one of our school vans and prepares lunch for our students each day — suffered a medical emergency and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

I was scared.

The kind of scared that makes your heart drop into your stomach. The kind where your mind races in a hundred directions at once.

But while Ms. Asia and I followed the ambulance, something beautiful happened back at school.

The staff stepped in.

Quietly. Faithfully. Instinctively.

Teachers shifted roles without hesitation. The trip still went on. Lunch was served. Lessons continued. Children were cared for. Vans rolled out at dismissal. What could have become chaos became calm because a group of people chose teamwork, grace, and love.

And honestly, that moment captured this entire school year.

This has been one of the hardest years in our 22-year history. Yet through every challenge, this staff has continued showing up for children and for one another — often unseen, often uncelebrated, and sometimes in the face of criticism that would make others walk away.

But you stayed.

You gave your time, your creativity, your patience, your prayers, your own resources, and pieces of your heart.

So on this last day of Teacher Appreciation Week, I simply want to say thank you.

You are not “just teachers.” You are protectors of children. Steady hands in hard moments. Light carriers. Difference makers.

And when I was scared this week, you carried more than responsibilities. You carried me, too.

I thank God for each and every one of you.