Teachers: There are many of them in county making a difference every day.

Teachers take a lot of potshots -- especially from politicians who have never been in a classroom and from those looking for a scapegoat when state scores dip.

But the truth is there are many who make a difference every day -- and whose dedication and caring change the lives of the students they teach.

And you met two of them today -- Wayne County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Kristi Luckenbaugh and Charles B. Aycock High School principal Earl Moore's first-grade teacher, Emma Bell.

Mrs. Luckenbaugh's achievement is obvious. You don't get to be named teacher of the year without really making an impact in your school.

But Mrs. Bell's achievement is equally impressive -- her student from decades ago remembered the impact she made enough to say thank you, years later.

And don't think she is the only one.

There are thousands of Wayne County students who have made it a point to let a teacher know how much he or she has influenced his or her life.

It happens every year for many of them.

Teaching is a tough job. There are challenges to overcome and social ills to manage all the while battling the changing world where learning is being replaced by video games.

To keep students achieving and to hold their interest is no easy task, and thousands of teachers make that their priority every day.

So, it must have been nice for a couple of them to hear a thank you -- officially.

The recent state education cuts and continuing calls for teacher accountability could make these professionals feel that perhaps the hard work is not worth it -- that no one is paying attention to the good news that occurs in schools every day.

So if you have a teacher from the past or one who works with your child now, take the time to say "thank you."

It will mean more than you can imagine.

Published in Editorials on August 21, 2013 11:33 AM