Teacher appreciation in action with UC Alumni Association
Local teachers received a swag bag of goodies and a moment of recognition from UC representatives
It’s hard to think of a more noble profession than teaching – imparting knowledge and life lessons to the next generation despite a plethora of challenges. To pursue a career in education is to dedicate oneself to what is too often a thankless calling.
Gage Woolley of the UC Alumni Association presents a swag bag to a teacher at Pleasant Ridge Montessori School. Photo/CECH Marketing
Teacher Appreciation Week presents us with a chance to change that – to express our gratitude to the exceptional individuals who’ve embraced the responsibility of educating youth. Occurring annually during the first full week of May, Teacher Appreciation Week is five days set aside to celebrate and honor schoolteachers for the important work they do.
University of Cincinnati’s Alumni Association seized the opportunity on May 8, 2024, to visit alumni of the School of Education at their workplaces with gifts of gratitude. That morning Program Director of Alumni Engagement Gage Woolley set out with representatives from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) to deliver bags filled with UC-themed goodies to teachers at UC's Arlitt Child Development Center and four different locations across the Cincinnati Public School District (Silverton Elementary, Pleasant Ridge Montessori, Shroder High and Woodford Academy).
“Teacher Appreciation Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the important work teachers do to shape the lives of students," says Woolley. "Many UC alumni teachers are doing that important work here in Cincinnati and beyond, and we want to celebrate those teachers. For us, we wanted to provide swag bags filled with Bearcat-themed items as a token of our appreciation to try to keep morale up and help strengthen teacher relationships.
"We are lucky to get to help do this every year.”
Three teachers at Silverton Elementary pose with Bearcat fans gifted from the UC Alumni Association. photo/CECH Marketing
The swag bags included a number of fun items for teachers and their students to enjoy, including UC Alumni Association lanyards, a “Team Bearcats” window cling, an “It’s a remarkable time to be a Bearcat” sticker, a “Tech” sticker, Bearcat-head fans, a phone wallet and a pair of red and black sunglasses. The items were a big hit with everyone in the classrooms, including students who were able to see their teachers celebrated for their hard work.
“Teaching is one of the most challenging professions, I think," says Woodford Academy Principal Kaitlin Dauner (notably also a UC alum). "So any time they can be recognized by anyone for what they’re doing is really valuable. Especially as a school located in Cincinnati, to have University of Cincinnati come out and show appreciation to former students of the university is very much appreciated. They were very excited, and it was a great addition to our staff appreciation week.”
Featured image at top: Teachers at Shroder High School, all alumni of UC's School of Education, pose with swag bags gifted by the UC Alumni Association. Photo/CECH Marketing
Next Lives Here
The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services is committed to the pursuit of discovery and excellence in research, teaching and service that addresses real world challenges and opportunities to create positive social change. The nationally renowned college includes four academic schools: School of Education, School of Criminal Justice, School of Human Services and School of Information Technology. CECH serves nearly 7,000 students and 161 faculty members, and holds 60 college rankings
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