STF celebrates teacher and staff appreciation week

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) is inviting people across the province to celebrate all the educators and staff that make a difference in young lives and inspire the next generation.

February 9th to 15th marks the 33rd annual Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week across the province.

Federation president Patrick Maze said pausing to remember all the hard work and dedication from staff is important.

“All staff work together as a team to provide their best for students right across the province,” Maze said. “Sometimes we have struggles with figuring out how to reach students, or what kind of programs we can put in place for students, yet this staff appreciation week is a time where we can reflect on all the good work that we do and all the successes we have.”

Whether it be a teacher volunteering to coach a team, advocating to have access to extra supports or being available to a student after a tough day, the STF is inviting people to show their support and appreciation by writing a note or sharing messages on social media channels.

Maze remembers leaning on teachers and staff as a 15-year-old student when he was going through a tough chapter of his life.

“I have lots of teachers that made a tremendous impact on me,” he said, remembering a letter he penned to a teacher.

“It’s incredibly important the relationships that teachers build with students last a lifetime.”

Education minister Gord Wyant put his support behind the appreciation week.

“Our government values the work of tens of thousands of teachers and staff that support student learning every single day,” Wyant said in a media release. “From the bus drivers to educational assistants to caretakers, thank you all for ensuring our students have a welcoming space.”

The appreciation week comes as both the STF and the province are at a standstill after nearly 10 months of negotiations for a new contract failed to produce an agreement.