As the school year comes to an end, National Teacher Week serves to recognize teachers for efforts in our school districts and community.

Last week the Iowa Mennonite School (IMS) Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) facilitated the school to recognize the teachers in several ways. IMS seniors wrote letters of appreciation to the teachers and staff. Each day there were treats given to faculty, and one day the faculty were each given a plant or flower. Though the PTO doesn’t restrict this gift giving to one week per year. PTO member Nicole Slabach says they bring snacks for the teacher’s lounge once a month. Slabach says the goal of PTO is to make the staff feel like they are supported, and to act as a liaison between staff, parents, and students. They hope that when there is critical feedback that they give to the staff, that the other work they do to care for the staff offsets that balance.