Teacher Appreciation Week always takes place the first week in the month of May. This year, it began this Monday, May 7, but National Teachers Day is on May 8, and a day just for them.

A few local businesses in the Pattonville area such as Chipotle and Raising Canes have deals for staff who come with their school ID, to reward them for their hard work. Some students, likewise, plan on letting their teachers know how much they have impacted them.

Senior Kayla Beck, for example, has written a note for one of her favorite teachers that she will miss the most upon graduating and plans on reading it to her.

She thinks it is great that educators are being celebrated this week.

“Teachers are sometimes under appreciated and they deserve the recognition for what they do for their students,” she said. “We may not always realize it, but they really pave the path for the rest of our lives.”

Like each year in the past, teachers passed out “You Make a Difference” forms for students to write small letters to the staff members who have impacted them.

Sophomore Steffon Johnson participated in this.

“I don’t know where we would be without teachers,” he said. “Like, they shape future generations.”

With the last day of school being around the corner, students are letting their teachers know how thankful they are for the educators who have helped them make it through the school year.