Albert Einstein once said, "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."
If you are lucky, you had a teacher that did just that; awakened joy, got the creative juices flowing or simply helped you tackle a subject that was intimidating.
Tuesday, May 7 is Teacher Appreciation Day. Students and parents celebrate the week by bringing in small gifts and cards of gratitude for the hard and often underappreciated work of educators. We took to the streets of Portland to find out which teachers Mainers appreciate.
Sydney Giambra is graduating from St. Josephs College on Saturday and already has a job waiting for her as a marketing and sales consultant. She says her award-winning kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Michelle Gagne, has been an inspiration to her.
"She always stayed in touch and kept up on me," says Sydney.
David Turin's favorite teacher is his wife, Christy Bomba-Turin, who taught Spanish for 18 years at Brunswick Middle and High School and later Wayneflete.
Jenika Pouliot appreciates the hard work of Ms. Rebecca at Bean Sprouts in Freeport. Pouliot's son Calvin is obsessed with Ms. Rebecca.
“She's the bomb and she is so much fun with the kiddos,” Pouliot says.
Becky Grezesik's daughter Sylvie attends Creative Explorations in Windham. Sylvie just loves her teachers Ms. Corin and Ms. Sabrina.
“They are super thoughtful, loving, and playful with the children and it makes all the difference in our child's every day.”
From all of us at NEWS CENTER Maine: Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!