Teachers do so much more than just teach. They mentor, support, and inspire students while juggling lesson plans, grading, and countless behind-the-scenes responsibilities.
Beyond the long hours and hard work, they also carry the emotional weight of guiding and encouraging their students every day. Oftentimes, their dedication goes unnoticed, but without them, the CCHS campus wouldn’t be the same.
Behind every lesson taught to students is more than just basic planning. Teachers put in hours of preparation, are constantly grading, and work hard to adapt to each student’s needs.
Their schedule includes a 5-day work week that consists of more than 7 hours. However, this schedule is overlooked.
Teachers often have to work well beyond school hours, answering emails, creating lesson plans, and finding creative ways to engage their students. All of these commitments come with a lot of emotional responsibility of supporting students while also supporting themselves.
Around 50 percent of teachers report burnout and 20-30 percent report symptoms of depression.
The ability to balance all the demands that come with being an educator is a hard job.
Teachers oftentimes put a lot on their plates to make the school the best place possible for students. Their commitment to the CCHS community extends far beyond just academics. There is a huge sacrifice of personal time, energy, and well-being to create a positive learning environment where students are valued.
For teachers, balance is just as important as it is for students. The demands of lesson planning, grading, and classroom management can easily lead to a teacher’s decline in self-care.
Ms. LaPorte, who is a math teacher, the Math Department Chair, the Dons for Life Moderator, a supporting Link Crew coordinator, and the Varsity Baseball announcer, knows this all too well. She shares, “I am very protective of my weekends…weekends are for Christine, not Ms. LaPorte…teaching requires a lot of energy and I spend it all Monday through Friday, so I need my weekends to be a little calmer.” This balance allows teachers to recharge and continue giving their best to their students.
Special teachers work at CCHS; they aren’t just educators but they are mentors, role models, and pillars of support for their students. No matter the time of day, teachers are always here for their students. The relationships built with the teachers often leave a lasting impression, helping students not just grow as learners but as individuals.
Mrs. Jameson, AP Language and Composition and English 4 teachers says, “I really do feel that my job as a teacher is to help my students be responsible for themselves and teach them skills that they can take into their futures…sometimes I feel like an extra parent in a way because my kids are my babies too and I take that part of my job seriously.”
Teachers like Mrs. Jameson go beyond academics, guiding students like a mentor or even a parent. Their deep care for students is rewarding but also emotionally demanding.
In the end, teachers are the backbone of the CCHS community. They shape the future with every lesson, word of encouragement, and every moment of care which showcases their extreme dedication from behind the desk.
