This past year has been a rite of passage like none other. In particular, for our school teachers. These kind people didn’t choose a career because of the money. They chose a career that helps make the world a better place, one child at a time.

These wonderful humans were trained and conditioned to function face-to-face with children, in classrooms that sometimes get up to 30 diversely capable students, in schools that are sometimes falling apart. All done with a smile, and far less appreciation than they deserve. They don’t care- they are used to it. They do it for our kids.

Teachers have been good soldiers, doing what they’ve been told, despite the obvious shortcomings of the hand that they have been dealt. Some have been fully virtual for over a year now, with no end in sight- in cities serving the most vulnerable populations. Some have been in-person, albeit with face-masks, plexiglass, social distancing, etc. But most have been involved in some sort of less-than-optimal, hybrid yo-yo situation of both in-person AND virtual. These compromised situations ultimately haven’t made anyone happy. Students suffer, parents suffer, and teachers are left to figure it out and manage it. 

I hope that you have had the opportunity to witness (on screen) some of these teachers in action, as they desperately try to hold the attention of our kids. From antsy pre-schoolers, to low-functioning special needs high schoolers… The work being put in, the planning, and the execution in most cases has been exemplary. And these people have pandemic-lives outside of their jobs. Many have families with school age children themselves. These people are truly super-heroes. They are essential workers, just as much as our neighbors who work in hospitals, law enforcement, military, etc. They are awesome, I am in awe of them, and I am eternally grateful for their efforts.

Many of these teachers worked at summer camp in 2020, and are planning on returning this summer- literally starting the next day after their school year ends, and returning to school as soon as the camp season ends. After what they’ve gone through this past year, it amazes me that they aren’t opting to sit at the beach for two months and stare at the horizon. These amazing humans are the epitome of youth development professionals– they love working with children. It energizes them. It recharges their battery.

I facilitated an off-season training for my camps’ leadership teams (mostly teachers) last month. As they were logging on, I got to see them, one by one, with no masks on. You can see the burden in their faces that they have been carrying for the past year. It’s weighing on them- exhausting them, both physically and mentally. And they wake up in the morning and do it again, and again. I’m honored to be working alongside these amazing people at camp this summer. I just want to get my second vaccine shot so I can hug the heck out of each and every one of them- These loving souls who are unable to hug their students. Who stop their students from sharing crayons. Who absorb the stress of their students, their students’ families, and their own families, every day.

To all those who used to feel that teachers had it easy- off at 3pm, in-service days, school vacations, tenure, unions- I hope that you better see the value and worth of these people who have chosen one of the most noble professions in our society- helping make society better, by molding our children into better people… DESPITE THE CIRCUMSTANCES. Forget “rain, sleet, and snow.” This is real grit and resiliency!

I love you, teachers- Thank you for your service. Here’s to hoping that next September gives you the opportunity to do your jobs the way they were meant to be- Face to face, with smiles, and hugs.

Andy Pritikin

Owner/Director, Liberty Lake

Past President, American Camp Association,

Former New Jersey School Teacher