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Now that school is back in session, much of the daily focus is on teachers—the individuals with whom you entrust your children while they are at school.

Grown-ups, no matter how far removed they are from their school years, can likely still name a favorite teacher. Great teachers have a way of remaining in the memories of those they taught for many years.

When we finish high school, we graduate under the guidance of numerous teachers. If we continue to college or technical school, we become students of dozens more. In all those years as a student, what makes good teachers noteworthy? What makes us remember them years and decades after they taught us?

Outstanding teachers share several common characteristics. They love children, are well-prepared, know their subject matter, engage students, challenge them, teach lifelong lessons, and communicate effectively. While teachers can’t be all things to all students, the good ones come close.

We often think of them as teaching a class, but in reality, they teach individuals who make up a class. This might seem obvious, but it is a point we should not take lightly. Teachers are responsible for shaping young minds. It is a profession that teaches all other professions. They juggle many responsibilities, including learning the curriculum, teaching engaging lessons, and handling discipline concerns.

We certainly need to pay teachers better. But we also need a better understanding and appreciation of what they do. Yes, teachers work only ten months of the year and have summer and holidays off. The reality is that they spend significant time at school after class and prepare at night and on weekends for classroom activities, continuing education, and other school projects.

It’s not just about the hours teachers work; it’s about the intensity of that time and how it is managed among the students in the class. Teachers, especially at the critical elementary level, dive headfirst into their class time early in the morning and maintain engaged intensity until the end of the day. That is not an easy task, especially with a room full of children.

For those seven or so hours of class time, teachers work nonstop with 20, 30, or more children with varied backgrounds, often with very different strengths and weaknesses, and each with distinct educational needs. They learn each student’s capabilities and what works best for each individual through experience.

Teachers not only teach academics but also thinking skills. They guide children to figure things out on their own, solve problems, and become lifelong learners. Additionally, they teach socialization skills. While not the primary goal, it is a vital by-product. Children learn to work in groups outside their home setting and how to get along with others.

Teachers have an awesome responsibility as they must not only teach but also be disciplinarians. It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together. At the heart of every great educator is an appreciation for learning, especially when it involves improving their craft and what they do for students.

It takes a special person to be a good teacher. Teachers are the heart of every school. We wish the best for all teachers this school year, hoping for success in the classroom. We also wish the best for our students, as teachers and students go hand in hand.