Let’s show our teachers some real appreciation

The observance may seem a little hollow this year. This is teacher appreciation week, a time to honor those who work tirelessly to provide our children a quality education. There were local ceremonies this week to recognize teachers for their efforts, but it seems they deserve more. This is a tough time to be a teacher, and a tough time to be a kid, as more and more students struggle with their mental health. Teachers have been dealing with a pandemic, declining state support, falling wages and find themselves in the middle of a culture war over what some call parent’s rights. There has been an exodus from the teaching profession, and almost a quarter of those who do go into the field quit within five years. We continue to ask our teachers to do more with less, and it’s taking its toll. Our teachers, and our schools, deserve better. Wisconsin lawmakers have cut funding for public education by almost $4 billion in the last 20 years. In this next budget, Wisconsin lawmakers should finally increase education funding so it at least keeps pace with inflation. Let’s really show our teachers our appreciation by better funding schools and providing them the resources they need to do their jobs.