5 Reasons to Thank Your Teacher on National Teacher Day

5 Reasons to Thank Your Teacher on National Teacher Day Celebrate National Teacher Day this year by genuinely thanking those instructors of yours. Teachers do so much for students, families, and the communitymore than were able to see during the school day. Even if your school doesnt celebrate the day formally, you might consider sending your teacher a note or stopping by after class with an encouraging word. Here are five reasons to thank these hard-working folks in our lives: 1. They provide resources particular to your learning styles and needs Throughout the year, teachers get to know your learning styles, personality, interests, strengths, and weaknesses through your schoolwork and participation in class. They know you academically in a way no one else does, and they are able to support you better because of that! With all of this information, theyre able to provide resources that are specific to you through mediums like written feedback, individual meetings, book recommendations, and of course, they are always there to answer your questions. 2. They challenge us to be more innovative, thoughtful, and creative Teachers provide the environment and structure that foster creative and critical thinking. Practically speaking, theyre there for us on a daily basis, and they juggle a handful of student needs within a single classroom (multiple times a day!). On a deeper level, theyre committed to bringing complex, thought-provoking ideas into that classroom that open our eyes to new perspectives and push us to new types of thinking. 3. Theyre constantly adapting and self-reflecting Teachers work with many types of people throughout the day besides students, like parents, administrators, counselors, and community members. Theyre great at balancing the needs of the classroom with parent perspectives and goals for the school. Throughout the day, they may make tons of split-second decisions because theyre constantly adapting to the environment and reflecting on what they can do better or what would be most effective for students. [RELATED: How to Make a Good Impression on Your College Professor] 4. Their workdays extend beyond school hours Its no secret that teachers often come early to school and leave late, as they are planning lessons, grading papers, collaborating with other teachers, and reflecting on the day. Many teachers dont have aides in their classroom, and those who do could often still use additional support for what is typically a one-man operationand just as you have homework, they often bring work home as well! Even when all their books are closed and the last paper is graded, their minds are still busy considering what they could improve for tomorrow, next month, or even next year. 5. Their impact extends beyond academics The impact from our teachers usually begins in the academic sense, but is often much more than that. Many teachers end up becoming mentors and role models for students. They offer another trusted, listening ear in your life for issues school-related and otherwise. These individuals provide great perspectives and resources for your future, and they are pillars of loyalty and encouragement. [RELATED: Avoid These Myths About College Professors] Take a moment to reflect on the ways the teachers in your lives have helped you on your journey. A word of thanks is always great, but if youd like to take it a step further, think about perhaps making a gift (baked goods are often a good option!), buying a small item of appreciation, or going in with a group of friends or classmates for something larger and even more special. Your school might also celebrate National Teacher Day, so consider checking to see if you can help with the festivities. But in the end, what matters is that you have taken the time to think about what your teachers have done for you, and in turn, let them know what it means to you. Happy National Teacher Day to all the great teachers out there!

Ask an Admissions Expert Dr. Lucia Tyler

Ask an Admissions Expert Dr. Lucia Tyler Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Dr. Lucia Tyler has worked in admissions at Cornell University providing counseling for applicants, giving admissions presentations, and eventually wrote a faculty admissions handbook. Additionally, she has held various professional roles in several areas of higher education at Cornell for over 15 years. Dr. Tyler is now the leader of her own college admissions consulting firm and has tutored, mentored, and advised numerous students over time. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Lucia: Ideally a student should begin working on their application in August because there is a lot of information to assemble on extracurricular activities etc. VT:What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Lucia: It is hard to generalize since colleges do differ significantly. Colleges and universities must be sure initially that the applications they are processing are complete. Larger universities usually use some kind of mathematical formula involving grades and test scores to cut down on the number of applications requiring more personal attention. Applications to be read are then divided up among admissions personnel and sometimes faculty. The readers make recommendations to the admissions committee or director. The number of times an application is read varies. Many colleges have an admissions committee that meets to discuss and act on applications that are borderline admits. If the college does not make their admissions deposit target by May 1, they must go to their waitlist which involves a re- reading of applications. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Lucia: Students should think about meaningful moments in their lives that changed their outlook, inspired them, made them stronger. VT:Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Lucia: Students need to be careful about sports injury stories because they are very common. I would also avoid topics that are depressing throughout unless there are glimmers of light in the piece. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Lucia: Good grades are important to all colleges. Standardized test scores are not considered at test optional colleges which number in the hundreds now. However, standardized test scores are very important at large universities that have to sift through tens of thousands of applications. VT:What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Lucia: One of the biggest mistakes a student can make is exaggerating or misrepresenting one of their activities or honors that will be reported by the school. Colleges want authentic applications from students. VT:What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Lucia: The most important thing to present is their intellectual curiosity or strong academic interest. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Lucia: I always recommend applying to at least one early action school because there is no down side for the student. They get their application organized earlier, they hear back from the college earlier and it takes the pressure off of them if they are admitted to at least one college before New Years. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Lucia: Students should visit the college when it is in session. There really is no other good way. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Lucia: Students should think about classes they have done well in from their sophomore and junior year. They should choose two teachers from core subjects including math, science, English, social studies, and foreign language. Students should ask the teacher if they would give them a good recommendation. If the teacher agrees to recommend them, they should hand the teacher a written reminder of past projects, tutoring, extra credit work etc. Students who are applying for entrance to a conservatory or art school should ask for a recommendation in that discipline. Go to the Tyler Admissions Consulting website to look into all of the services Dr. Tyler has to offer.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.