Teaching appreciation on Mother’s Day

By Brian Greenspun (contact)

Sunday, May 8, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Day. And happy Mother’s Day, too.

For all of you fathers out there who somehow have forgotten what today is, now is your chance to make a solid recovery. Find the mother of your children and wish her a Happy Mother’s Day, as if you had remembered all by yourself.

Those of us who had remembered long enough in advance to send some flowers, some candy or something else to acknowledge this most special day will reap the benefits throughout the year. Especially if you treat Mom throughout the entire year the way you do today.

After all, moms are special and one day a year is not nearly enough time to give her the recognition — and the day off — that she so richly deserves.

As with most members of the baby boomer generation, my mother is no longer with us. So that means I can and do concentrate on the mother of my fabulous grandchildren as the person of significant importance today. She also happens to be my wife’s daughter, so that works out well, too.

Nevertheless, I did ask my wife, Myra, if she wanted — read that, was she expecting? — anything special for Mother’s Day. Her answer was, as it has been for more decades than I can remember, “I already have everything I want.” Let me tell you how much that answer means to me: a no-hassle Mother’s Day!

But, of course, that isn’t the whole story.

Myra’s adult life has been consumed with public education — its teachers and its students. One of her more recent joys is a “teacher excellence” award in her name, which is administered through the Public Education Foundation and which singles out a most deserving teacher, for special recognition and a meaningful cash award.

The teacher chosen this year is Stacey Dallas Johnston. She teaches at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. And from where I stand on these matters, the committee couldn’t have chosen any better.

That is one reason I asked to join my wife as an observer when she made the surprise award to Mrs. Johnston in her classroom this past Tuesday. I wanted to meet the person who the school principal, Scott Walker, said was a “masterful teacher.”

The other reason is that the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts occupies what used to be my high school, Las Vegas High School. I am at that age where I wanted to go back — if only to relive those wonderful youthful times for a few moments. I was not disappointed on either count.

Mr. Walker hit the nail on the head when he described Mrs. Johnston as a “rare gift to our profession. Her impact reaches beyond her classroom to the whole school and community. She is fearless, successful, and innovative in her implementation of strategies designed to motivate students to do their very best. It would be difficult to believe anyone could be more meritorious for the distinction of the Myra Greenspun Teacher Excellence Award.”

From what I saw in that classroom, including the reaction of Mrs. Johnston’s students when the announcement was made, and the shock and humility she exhibited, I have to agree with Mr. Walker. Mrs. Johnston is an excellent choice.

I am telling this story for a couple of reasons. First, I believe that the more people in our community can do to recognize the value of our teachers, the better our education system will become. Myra’s efforts are just one way to express that appreciation. I am sure there are many other equally appropriate ways.

A second reason is that it is Mother’s Day. This is the day we are supposed to do something very special for our favorite mothers. I am trying, in my own way, to give something to the mother of my daughter. And all I can give is my deep love and respect for who she is and all that she does.

And, of course, what would Mother’s Day be if it weren’t about fathers?

As we finished a most inspiring tour of the Las Vegas Academy by Principal Walker, I noticed that most of the students who were just getting out of class were carrying cellphones but, unlike in other similar settings, they weren’t texting, talking or otherwise engaged with their communications devices.

I questioned what I was witnessing.

Mr. Walker explained: “These students really care about one another. Whatever else is going on in their lives on the outside, here at school we are family. They actually communicate with each other by talking. And they talk in full sentences!”

That reality should be every mother’s fondest wish.

To Mrs. Johnston, Mr. Walker and all the teachers everywhere who understand the import of that explanation, thank you! You are very much appreciated.

And to all the mothers of the world, especially Myra and Amy, a very happy Mother’s Day.

Brian Greenspun is owner, publisher and editor of the Sun.