ERIN SPONAUGLE

Here's my take: What most of us are actually looking for as teachers isn't appreciation. It's validation. And those are not the same thing. Appreciation is someone telling you thank you, bringing you a treat, acknowledging what you do. It's nice to receive, and it's meaningful when it comes from the right person at the right moment, especially a handwritten note, which is honestly my favorite and the thing that sticks with me the longest. But appreciation is external; it'