October 5 marked a special day. One of appreciation towards people we see nearly everyday. The people I speak of are our teachers. For two semesters, we strengthen our bond with the men and women who take time out of their day to teach and prepare us for our futures. Despite this, we seem to take teachers for granted. A majority of students tend to ignore everything teachers do for them. While yes, we may have a bad experience with a teacher, whether in the past or the present, it’s unfair to allow that one teacher to ruin your admiration of all the teachers who genuinely help students reach their highest potential. Here at La Mirada, we seek to bring teachers the recognition that’s deserved. They all deserve a bit of love for their service. Just like us, teachers spend seven, if not more, hours inside of the school. Only the reason they’re inside a classroom is different from ours. Teachers are here every day all week to pass on what they know to the next generation. Having spent years of their life dedicated to one specific or multiple subjects, teachers make it their mission to ensure what they themselves have learned doesn’t go to waste. They could’ve very well decided another career path, but they chose this one. A path dedicated to giving young people what they’ll need in order to be successful the more they grow. Imagine how difficult that is. Teaching hundreds year in and year out, not just anyone could do that. It takes someone with immense resolve. After all, they could choose to quit somewhere down the line once they feel they’ve had enough. Yet teachers don’t seem to do that. When you ask, they usually tell you they’ve been a teacher for a long time. The next time you see a teacher, ask them that same question, “how long have you been teaching?” Their answers might surprise you. In my own personal experience, it’s always over 10 years. That right there, is sheer commitment. Why else would you stick around in a job for such a great length if you don’t enjoy it? Teachers spend all their time on us, without so much as a “thank you” in most cases. So what I ask of you is to acknowledge your teachers’ actions. Go out there and thank them for granting you the privilege of an education. There are many who’d do anything to take your place. You are fortunate enough to be in a place where knowledge is handed to you on a silver platter. We should all be grateful for teachers, without them, our true potential would’ve probably remained hidden away.