3rd grade teacher's day made special by 'kind words' from strangers who thanked her for her service

Teachers are mostly considered the second parents to a child. They are an integral part of the system that shapes a kid's future and their personality. Being a teacher means continuously gaining knowledge, dealing with homework, helping with developmental stages and addressing, as well as rectifying each child’s problems in a way that best fits them. But most of these roles of a teacher go unrecognized in society and they do not receive the acknowledgment they deserve. However, when they are appreciated for bringing a change in society through their service, it makes their day. A 3rd-grade teacher took to Reddit to share the appreciation and respectful treatment she received at a car service center. 

The teacher shared her experience at a car service center that dignified her role as a teacher. She captioned her post, ‘Made my day!” Explaining the situation, she mentioned that her car had broken down and she had to get it towed to the nearest car service center. When it was ready, she went to collect her vehicle when one of the staff members engaged in a conversation with her. She said, “Three gentlemen were working the service counter. As one began getting my paperwork together, he asked what I did and I told him I was a 3rd grade teacher.”

What followed next was purely an act of kindness but it became the most wholesome thing the teacher noticed. She said, “He immediately stopped and said, ‘Thank you for your service.’” The teacher further mentioned that the second gentleman even got her a beverage. “The third man said, ‘You guys are awesome. I don't know how you do it.’” Their collective effort of hyping her up in the most subtle way became an encouragement she’ll hold for a lifetime. The littlest gestures the men put out for the teacher made her feel respected and seen as she should. 

Teachers do a lot more than impart knowledge but are barely valued. Being a teacher means being fully invested in the lives of children emotionally and mentally. You don’t know the daily happenings of a teacher’s life until they share them. There’s far more than simply learning to read and write. There are meltdowns, there’s a need for encouragement, there are emotional and mental problems and much more that a teacher looks after. A student shared how a teacher played an important role in eliminating a toxic relationship they were in. 

In a Reddit post, u/throwaway280569 mentioned that he was in a toxic relationship with his now ex. She was a big red flag who was controlling, jealous and degrading the student. Having shared these things with his friend via the school laptop, he mentioned that teachers were able to see the same. He then said, “My teacher was reading the messages I sent for around 20 minutes and said, ‘I have no clue if this will help but if anyone is in an abusive relationship, please try getting out of it. None of you deserve to be violated or used for pleasure when you say no. If anyone disagrees, you can get the hell out of my room right now.’ Nobody knew who he was talking about and many were glad he said it.”

The student later mentioned that he broke up with that girl and felt much safer thanks to his teacher who was more thoughtful about his situation and encouraged him to be himself. While many are out there criticizing and laughing about teachers’ ‘menial’ jobs, teachers are out there saving lives, prompting wellness and being a hope to many students.