Today is National Teacher Day, a day to recognize and honor the teachers in our own lives as well as in the lives of our children.
When you think of a mentor, who is the person who first comes to mind. Other than parents, of course, it would likely have to be a teacher.
Somewhere in our past, whether we realize it or not, a teacher has encouraged, coaxed, cajoled or inspired us to do more than what was required, to aspire to a higher level.
And that's why we are who we are today.
If we have children, a teacher can easily spend more hours a day with them than we do. In our busy working lives, teachers often fill the role of parent as well as mentor.
That's why we should recognize teachers for their contributions to the lives of both our children and ourselves. Beyond that, though, parents should ensure they have a good working partnership with their children's teachers - ultimately, for the benefit of their children.
Sometimes, teachers and parents only see the "tip of the iceberg" from their children's "other" lives. Does a child come home from school sullen and moody? Maybe there's something that happened at school - maybe a schoolyard bully that even the teacher doesn't know about. If a parent can detect such mood changes in a child and communicate that to a teacher, then perhaps the teacher can do something about it.
It's by cultivating that sort of mutually beneficial partnership that parents and teachers can help the child in the long run.
So today, and every school day, let's try to find ways to help teachers do their jobs - so they can help parents and children live better, more meaningful lives.