Stories From The Classroom: Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week!

For 25 years, NIET has been proud to support and celebrate great teachers by partnering with schools and districts to build strong systems of professional learning, leadership, and collaboration. 

As we mark Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 during this milestone year, we honor the outstanding impact teachers make in their classrooms, schools, and communities. We asked teachers partnered with NIET to answer questions about their motivations, inspirations, and advice for colleagues. They shared powerful reflections on what teaching means to them and where they find motivation and support - and even got emotional in their responses.

“Answering some of these questions truly brought tears to my eyes,” one teacher said. “Teaching can be incredibly challenging, but deep down, I know this is my true calling.”

As we celebrate all teachers throughout Teacher Appreciation Week, take a look below at a few of the voices that remind us why teachers are at the heart of educational excellence:

What is your favorite teaching moment or memory, and what did you learn from that experience?

“My favorite teaching memory is throwing my first Pi Day party on March 14, which is now a tradition I do every year. Math gets a bad rep, so I am always looking for ways to give students positive experiences with math. Math can be fun! I’ve had students memorize even more digits of pi than I for a contest, make a paper chain that represents the digits of pi that wrapped around my entire classroom, sing pi day songs, and bake circular treats with pi symbols on top! I learned that if you can spark a student's interest in something, they will 100% lock in, be dedicated, and participate.”

- Megan Justice, Math Teacher, Indianapolis Public School District, Indiana 

What inspired you to become a teacher?

“My passion for history and my desire to help others inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. Recognizing that many children see history as dull or unimportant, I was motivated to bring it to life for them and spark their interest. I've always found fulfillment in volunteering, but I wanted to go beyond that. I wanted to make a lasting impact in my community.”

- LaCandace Thornton, Teacher, Ascension Parish Public Schools, Louisiana

Who has inspired you and helped you in your teaching career?

“As a senior in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I loved helping people, but was convinced that I did not want to go into a profession working with kids, as I spent the majority of my time with my five younger siblings. One night at dinner, my brother told me that he wanted me to be his teacher one day. Something in that moment made everything click. To this day, I think of my siblings in most, if not all, decisions I make as a teacher. They have made me the person and teacher I am today. I am forever grateful to have their love and support.”

- Mackenzie Vandagrifft, 2nd Grade Teacher, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Indiana

What motivates and keeps you in the profession?

“What keeps me motivated and passionate about teaching is when former students come back and tell me that I made math understandable for them. Whether it was finally learning how to divide or figuring out how to solve systems of equations, hearing that I helped something ‘click’ for them means everything. It’s a great reminder that the work I do matters, even long after the students have left my classroom. Knowing I played a small part in building their confidence and skills keeps me excited to keep teaching, year after year.”

- Adam Moon, 8th Grade Teacher, Alhambra Elementary School District, Arizona

What is the most rewarding experience you've had as a teacher, and why did it mean so much to you?

“I would have to say it happened this year when we had to condense classes. I had one student come to me who was reading well below grade level. I worked with him constantly on decoding, fluency, comprehension, and connecting all the pieces together. I just enjoy constantly seeing the moments with students when something that they've been struggling with clicks. The end-of-year results showed he got to benchmark on grade level! We celebrated! He did it! We called his mom right away to tell her. I took pictures of his scores from beginning to end, and we celebrated the growth. In a short amount of time, he made so much progress. I am proud to be a part of his story of growth.”

- Caitlin Mattke, Teacher, East Central Independent School District, Texas

“During the 2023-2024 school year, five of my students made it to the state Civics Bee finals. I loved seeing them combine reading, writing, public speaking, and content knowledge to suggest ways we can improve our community for others.” 

-Bonnie Pollock, ELA Teacher and Milken Award Winner, Bentonville Schools, Arkansas

What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a teacher?

“The advice I would give to someone considering becoming a teacher is that there will be hard days where you will question yourself and your ability to handle everything thrown at you, but remember your 'why.’ These kids need us now more than ever. They may not show it right away. It may be years down the line, but just know that you have made a lasting positive impact on a human being. For some, we are the only smile, greeting, or hug they will receive all day. It’s up to us to model what being a sincere, empathetic, and intelligent leader looks like so that they follow suit. Once a genuine relationship is built with a child, you will reach them with the content. My favorite motto is ‘you must reach them before you can teach them.’ Also, I cannot stress enough to take care of yourself, whether that be physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or whatever self-care looks like for you. To get the most out of your students, you have to show up as your best self first.”

- Sierra Wynn, 6th Grade ELA Teacher, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Louisiana

“My advice to someone considering becoming a teacher is to know that teaching can be challenging and there will be long, tough days, but your students will make it all worthwhile. It’s the little moments- a smile, a breakthrough, or even a simple hug will remind you why you chose this profession. Remember that you are making a difference in their lives, even if it is not evident right away. Those are the moments that will keep you going.”

- Miriam Nava, Teacher, Alhambra Elementary School District, Arizona

“The kids are why you're there. Curriculum, administration, and testing are all a part of it, but it isn't why you show up to work each day. Whenever you're overwhelmed by new initiatives, the pressure of unrealistic expectations, or what feels like a lack of support, tune it out and look at the faces you show up to serve each day. They need you to be a good human, to show them who they can become. The rest is secondary.”

- Holly Howard, Lead Teacher, Bentonville Schools, Arkansas

What is your best teacher appreciation moment ever?

“One of the most memorable teacher appreciation moments in my career came from my very first group of students. At the end of the school year, they surprised me with a bundle of handwritten notes, each one expressing how I had made a difference in their lives. Some thanked me for helping them believe in themselves, others for making learning fun, and a few simply for always being kind and patient.

 As a first-year teacher, I had often wondered if I was doing enough or reaching my students in the right way. That moment reassured me that teaching isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, consistency, and care. It showed me that the relationships we build in the classroom can leave lasting impressions far beyond academics. That experience continues to fuel my passion and reminds me why I chose this profession.”

- Leah Brown, Teacher, Ascension Parish Public Schools, Louisiana

The inspiration doesn't end here! You can find more moving stories and shout-outs on NIET social media.