On Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers show their gratitude for their students

ROME, Ga. — With students at home right now, teacher appreciation is at an all-time high, just in time for 2020 Teacher Appreciation Week.

Channel 2 Anchor Wendy Corona learned that teachers in one local district are turning the appreciation back onto students and parents.

Corona talked to the principal of Rome High School Monday, who told her the school motto, "One Rome," holds very true.

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Eric Holland is the principal at Rome High School and was not surprised by his staff’s servant spirit on teacher appreciation week.

“Our teaching spirit has been great,” Holland said. “Our kids have been even greater.”

Holland said his teachers came up with a great way to make Teacher Appreciation Week about both teachers and students.

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"They came up with this crazy idea, they want to have senior appreciation week because our seniors been going through so much," Holland said.

Teachers hand delivered delivered signs of appreciation to seniors. Class valedictorian Aaron Bartleson said he appreciated the gesture.

"It really means a lot to see Miss Goldin after this extended period of isolation," Bartleson said.

For chemistry teacher Kelly Goldin, the students have earned this and more.

"Being able to spotlight them in just a little way just to show them that your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and we’re so proud of you (is great)," Goldin said.

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Rome wasn't the only place celebrating teachers.

In the driveway of the Lahiff home in northwest Atlanta, a chalk-written sign thanked teachers.

Laura Lahiff said her twin sons Ronan and Rylan use their recess time from distance learning to thank their Morris Brandon Elementary teachers.

"Oh my gosh, I don’t even know how they do it on a daily basis," Lahiff said of her son's teachers.

One of her son's teachers sent a personalized postcard to him, appreciating him. Lahiff said what her sons are doing is all about gratitude.

“We all are feeling frustrations and stress and so our dear teachers,” Lahiff said. “I hope they’re feeling a thousand percent more appreciated than they normally do.”

Teacher Appreciation Week takes on a deeper meaning this year. Different districts and parent-teacher associations have all sorts of kind gestures and surprises for teachers and support staff this week.

We’ll be highlighting some of those special moments all week.

Freebies and deals to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day 2020 Freebies and deals to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day 2020

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