Consider the remarkable social changes that have occurred over the past sixty years. Then, think how the influence and power that teachers were once freely given by the community and the nation have been devalued and stripped away. And, go farther, to analyze how the responsibility of the teacher has broadened to encompass the role of surrogate parent, the role of helping students learn when to apply common sense and how to make healthier life choices, and, at times, even the role of providing for the physical needs of students. In many cases, these are all necessary and real roles. The bottom line: teaching is a multi-task, multi-role experience. Understanding this truth enables good teachers to meet the everyday demands of public education, whatever their role might be for the moment.

Good teachers, teachers who can handle these tasks and roles, are heroes. Heroes step in to do what most others will not. Heroes face danger not because they have to but because they choose to. Heroes stand out because of their service to others. Heroes stand in the gap because they live for a purpose, not for a paycheck. Heroes work overtime, when everyone else goes home. Heroes smile and offer friendship, kindness, and understanding when others turn away. It takes special teachers to be these heroes and she-roes.

Amazingly, most teachers who do so don’t see themselves as heroes. This is another part of what makes them so special. People don’t get into the business of teaching to become heroes. People chose the field of education to make a difference in the lives of kids. The hero part simply comes with the territory.

So, because teaching is heroic, our culture should recognize and show considerable appreciation for the teaching profession, both public and private. The teaching community is the community of hope and the backbone of our social order. If teaching goes awry, then our society will feel it economically, socially, politically, and spiritually. When both local and federal agencies begin to support, lift up, and prioritize teachers and education in a tangible way, the world will most definitely feel and experience tangible and immediate results.

We must celebrate teachers and the investment they contribute each day to our society, families and local schools. Why? Simple, they are our true heroes.

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