I've always had mad respect for teachers. My mother is a retired teacher and I know how hard she worked, and how much she cared for her students, but in times like this, my appreciation for teachers is overwhelming. Homeschooling has given us all a taste of what teachers deal with daily while trying to shape and grow young minds, and I know, without a doubt, that I am not worthy.

Our teachers are dealing with the same COVID-19 stress and anxiety as we are, but most of them are trying to teach their own children at home all while doing everything they can for their students. I'm about to lose it trying to teach one kindergartner and a preschooler, and I can only imagine the amount of additional pressure legit teachers are under these days.

For that reason, and countless others, Rockford teachers deserve our thanks, and RPS 205 is giving us the perfect outlet to do that soon.

Now for a personal note of appreciation...Since this whole distance learning thing began, I have been trying to come up with ways to let my daughter's Kindergarten teacher know how much I appreciate her. She makes a point to check up on the work Ella is doing, and always offers words of encouragement that are more beneficial than I think she realizes. I know she is hurting about not seeing these children in her classroom again, and I want her to know she is doing an excellent job. Mrs. Ballard, I am sending you a HUGE virtual hug and a heartfelt thank you for loving our kids so dang much. Ella has learned so much this year ALL BECAUSE OF YOU, and I truly hope I'm not messing it up right now! Stay strong, stay well, and I hope we all get to see each other again soon!

Catch Lil Zim on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB’ on Q98.5 from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook

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