Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 4-8 this year. Educators across the nation are being recognized in creative ways during the coronavirus pandemic. Staff members at Henry David Thoreau Elementary received one of those creative surprises during their weekly virtual meeting on May 4. Joining the call to provide kind and motivating words was Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Superintendent Reykdal showed up via web cam on the Microsoft Teams video chat platform. He told the group that this is a strange time for all educators, but the goal remains the same and posted the following in the chat feature:

“Thank you for letting me join this morning. I am grateful for your work and your incredible commitment to public education. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Stay healthy and lean heavily on grace, as so many colleagues, parents and students struggle in the uncomfortable unknown.”