Although it may feel like summer is just getting started, back-to-school time will be here before we know it. One Florida mom went school supply shopping for her daughters, who will be starting kindergarten and second grade this year. Although she initially balked at how much money she spent on items like highlighters, crayons and hand sanitizer, the experience made her realize the selflessness of her children’s teachers who are often forced to pay for such items themselves so no kid has to go without.
Brittany Manning Jackson took to Facebook to express her gratitude for educators, and her moving post has now gone viral, having been shared more than 60,000 times:
As Jackson loaded her cart with glue sticks, crayons and everything else her kids would need for a successful school year, her initial instinct was to be taken aback a bit by the $150 price tag for everything she bought.
However, the more she considered it, she realized that the time and money she put into getting supplies for her children was just a fraction of what their teachers would invest in their students in the coming school year.
“Your child’s teacher will spend way more than this, of their own money, on their students, in just one quarter of the year,” she wrote.
Jackson went on to address how much time and thought teachers put into their students’ well-being, even after they’re technically “off the clock,” writing:
“When your child is struggling, their teacher is going to go home with your child’s face in their mind, wondering how they can help your child succeed tomorrow.”
She noted teachers’ admirable display of patience, as they deal with students’ often-challenging behavior. She then concluded her post by urging her fellow parents to remember that teachers are dealing with a whole classroom of students and to respect them for the incredible job that they do day in and day out:
“Your child’s teacher doesn’t just have 2 children…they have 15…or more. And they love them. Protect them. Guide them. Pray for them. Your child’s teacher is a blessing. Their school is a blessing. This…this cost, is nothing. Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to go school supply shopping.”
What a great reminder to appreciate everything teachers do for our kids!
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
