To the editor:

As teachers and retired teachers, we want to recognize the creativity, resilience, patience and flexibility of our fellow educators. None of us has seen anything in our lifetime that resembles the challenges of teaching during a pandemic.

Teachers must keep students motivated and maintain high academic standards while being sensitive to the anxiety and fear many are experiencing. They must accomplish this while monitoring hand washing, mask wearing, and classroom sanitation.

They also help students and parents navigate the challenges of new technology. They must ensure that all students and parents keep pace with their studies while being ready to switch to remote learning and back to in-person learning at a moment’s notice. Many teachers are also parents facing the challenge of educating their own children as their students.

As COVID-19 numbers soar, the virus now infected people we know – our family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. We have teachers who are teaching, and students who are learning while trying to deal with the illness or death of a loved one. These times are stressful for our whole community. We need to be more understanding and supportive of each other in order to survive and flourish.

We encourage the public to recognize and support the heroic efforts of our Copper Country educators. Please call or send messages to thank teachers. Please let your school administrators and board members know that you value what teachers are doing for their students every day.

If you show your appreciation for teachers, students and their families, your kindness will help our whole community.