In reflecting on being a student of DUSD for 12 years, and especially in light of recent events in the district, I found myself considering the massive role teachers play in students’ lives. Teachers do more than just teach, after all; They serve as role models, as leaders, as trusted adults and advisors. So, to truly appreciate the value that teachers have brought to my life and the lives of my peers, we must look at all the ways they have helped us grow.

Unlike what students often assume, teachers do more than just follow state-specified lesson plans. They often craft their own lessons, and create a multitude of hands-on activities, interactive games, and outside learning opportunities. I still recall participating in a whole-class feudalism simulation in my seventh-grade history class, taught by Ms. Monica Lewis, watching as the knights and vassals divided up the M&Ms while leaving none for us serfs. I learned more than what a textbook could teach me about feudalism that day. I learned how it felt, I saw with my own eyes the unequal distribution of wealth, and I understood clearly why the system existed and why it ultimately fell apart, all things that wouldn’t have happened if not for Ms. Lewis’s unique lesson plan. 

The effort the teachers of this district put into every class is unparalleled. One former DHS student, Ian Hsu, noted that “All of the teachers here work to death – in class, before and after school, and at home…[managing] around 150-180 students a day.” Every year, Ms. Masdeo Oliver (or MO, as her students affectionately call her) directs the DHS fall musical for the whole school, with the help of choir teacher Ms. Yakley, the Performing Arts Theatre staff, and a variety of student managers and cast members. She helps to run the Drama Club, Improv Club, and several fundraisers for the Drama department. And she is only one of the many examples of teachers working behind the curtains to provide opportunities for students.

Beyond educational opportunities, teachers go above and beyond to act as role models for their students. One of the teachers whom I most admire is Ms. Hake, a U.S. History and AP U.S. History teacher at Dublin High School. Every class, she exhibits a kindness and level-headedness that surpasses pretty much everyone else I’ve met. I truly am inspired by her ability to approach every situation with empathy, thoughtfulness, and a little bit of humor. Many times in class, I found myself thinking that if I could even be one-tenth as friendly and considerate of others as Ms. Hake, then I would be proud of who I had become. 

Moreover, many teachers inspire students to pursue their careers. I know my interest in pursuing bioengineering was borne out of my experiences in the DHS Health Science and Technology Academy, often referred to as Biomed. Dr. Sundstrom’s role in particular in shaping my interest in the sciences has been profound. But I am not the only one– Ruoyi Wu, DHS junior, remarked that her “meaningful experiences created with the amazing teachers in Dublin” inspired her to “carry on the torch and become an educator in the future.”

Teachers shape our lives in more ways than can be described. As Franklin Liu, DHS Junior, notes, “It takes a special strength of character to be a teacher.” For him, his teachers played an invaluable role in helping him feel like he belonged. “I was a quiet, shy, painfully insecure freshman…but thanks to the kindness and compassion of my teachers, I found that I do have a place in this community. They showed me that I am valued and respected.” 

Teachers inhabit a profession that has become seriously undervalued by society. Despite being as important to the fabric of our society as doctors and nurses, they are rarely appreciated as much. But teachers hold the greatest value. When I find myself thinking about the people who have had the biggest impact on my life, they are the first people who come to mind. All these years later, I still remember my eighth-grade English teacher, Mr. Wakerling, almost breaking into tears as we said our last goodbyes. “You are going to accomplish great things,” he told me. Whether he was right or not remains to be seen, but having someone who believed in me has changed me forever.