A thank you can go a long, long way. Unfortunately, teachers usually have to wait until the end of the school year to get theirs. Whether it’s from pupils, parents or even school leaders, a full year has to pass before that gratitude comes their way. At Christmas, there are presents, for sure. But it’s more a case of here’s some wine/chocolate/a novelty mug for getting us this far, but we’re reserving judgement until July before giving you a big thank you.

That seems a shame. And a missed opportunity. Because being a teacher for one day is hard. Being one for a whole term is harder still. But being a teacher for a whole autumn term in which an election is being fought must be the hardest of all.

The past months have seen a maelstrom of negativity where the only discussion has been one of deficit, of all the things that we don’t have enough of in education (funding, staffing). And of getting rid of all sorts of things (Ofsted, Sats, GCSEs, independent schools).

What’s been missing is an acknowledgement of the positives, of all the things that we do have - the caring, kind and generous teachers, headteachers, TAs and everyone in schools who, despite all this, each day give their all for the children in their charge. A small thank you in these cold, dark days of winter would have provided some warmth.

So, let’s try to make up for that with some big thank yous from us here at Tes.

Each week, we print approximately 12,000 words written by teachers in our magazine, and publish digitally nearly 20,000 words written by teachers. The articles cover every subject and look into each drawer, stationery cupboard and forgotten space of teaching. The aim of all those teachers’ words is simple: to help their colleagues. It might be help to do something, to articulate a feeling, to challenge a view. Help to not feel alone, to be happier, to see things from another perspective. Help to seek a promotion, to call leadership to account, to lead. And even help to just spend some time reflecting on what a great job teaching is.

It might be Nikki Cunningham-Smith, who taps out her behaviour articles with her little daughter balanced on her knee. It might be Mark Enser, pushing boundaries in teaching and telling everyone who will listen what he finds out along the way. It might be Sarah Ledger speaking out on issues affecting female teachers with wit and searing honesty. It might be Jo Brighouse, taking an acerbic and knowing look at primary school life.

Or it could be Jon Parsons, whose primary maths articles have prompted several schools to book in visits to his own. It could be Helen Pinnington, whose early years blogs have led to numerous enquiries to come and see her work in action. It could be Clare Sealy’s writing, which ends up all over social media and in many a headteacher’s office. Or it could be Mark Roberts, whose writing on language and grammar has made him the (teaching) nation’s favourite pedant.

That’s just a few; there are many, many more. We thank every single teacher who writes for us - they give their time to save yours. They brave the social media backlash, they put their ideas forward to be challenged and they share the secrets of their success because they want to do their best to help as many people as possible.

It’s this desire to help others that defines teachers: the vast majority just want children to achieve, to be happy and to help other teachers make that happen. This deserves more than a thank you in the summer or at Christmas. It deserves a thank you every single day of the year.

@AnnMroz

This article originally appeared in the 13 December 2019 issue under the headline “All I want for Christmas is you (to be fully appreciated…)”