We’re celebrating teachers this week (May 6 – May 10, 2024) and let them know how much we appreciate all they do to instill in us every kind of knowledge.
Thanks to teachers — we learn to never give up, follow our passion and live our dreams.
According to the National Education Association, we stand with teachers and encourage our leaders to provide the resources and respect educators deserve.
“Real appreciation is when you see the lights come on and the kids get it, especially those who have a hard time or struggle, and you find a way to get to ‘em,” said Oak Hill Middle School special education teacher/transition coordinator Hobert Muncey. “If you can make them learn to learn and love learning — that’s the appreciation for us, all of us.”
For Ty Braenovich — both former teachers and his mom inspired him to become a teacher. When it comes to being an inspiration to the next generation he says some days it’s tough.
“You got to really settle ‘em down and kind of get them to understand how important it is to have an education, to keep them out of potential trouble and to kind of keep them on the right path,” said Braenovich, an OHMS social studies teacher.
Middle school is a rough age. According to Muncey, his friend always says if you can survive in middle school and then teach there… there’s nothing you can’t do.
“They’re somewhere between little kids and wanting to grow up. And there’s a lot of things going on in their lives,” the special ed teacher said. “It’s an age where socializing seems more important, and yet they still have to learn because we only have ’em for a little short block of time. Then they hit high school and then they’re out in the real world.”
Braenovich says it’s great to be appreciated and pass along his knowledge.
“I love West Virginia studies and history. And so that’s why I teach what I teach,” said the social studies teacher. “I like to help the kids learn that special history of our state.”
They don’t just teach. Muncey says sometimes you’re a parent, advisor, nurse — and wear many hats for these kids.
“They’re just like kind of part of your family,” he said. “You really want to make a connection with them to make them know you really care. They’re not just ‘lemme throw this on the board or tell you this’ and then off you go. You wanna know about their life and how you can help them.”
