10 Undeniable Reasons Why Teachers Are The Best: Celebrating 10 Years of Saddle Up For 2nd Grade

If you would have asked me 10 or even 20 years ago what I would be doing today, I would not have said a curriculum designer or an educational consultant. I didn’t even start out as an education major in college and actually changed my major twice before realizing that I was destined to be a teacher. This week, Saddle Up for 2nd Grade is celebrating 10 years of serving teaching through educational resources and professional development. This blog post is going to be a little different than normal, so join me as I take a walk down memory lane and share 10 undeniable reasons why teachers are the best! 

A Walk Down Memory Lane

When I first started my TpT journey, I was a second year teacher, teaching only 2nd grade math. I worked in a small, rural school district and was basically creating everything I was teaching with, from lesson plans and resources to math stations, all from scratch.

I started Saddle Up for 2nd Grade as a way to share what I was already doing with other teachers. Little did I know that it would lead me to where I am today. 

Over the years, my little side hobby evolved into something I could have never imagined. One day, I got a message on Facebook from a woman asking me if I was interested in speaking at iTeach 2nd. This was a NATIONAL teaching conference held in Las Vegas that year. I immediately thought it was spam and ignored the message. Then one week later, I got another one. They truly did want me to be a presenter!

I had never done any type of professional development before, much less on a national stage in front of hundreds of thousands of teachers. However, that one door, that one opportunity led to 6 years of presenting with SDE as an educational consultant and eventually, creating educational resources full time. 

It was because of that one opportunity that over the last 10 years, I have gotten to work with thousands of teachers across the United States and 41 other countries. I never would have thought that the girl who grew up in a small town of 500 people would get to do something like that.

Over the last 10 years of working closely with teachers from all over the world, I’ve learned something that I’ve truly always known, but now, I feel it more than ever, and that is: teachers are the best… truly, the absolute best! They are amazing and one of a kind. I am so incredibly blessed to be able to work with so many teachers each day. 

10 Reasons Why Teachers Are The Best

In honor of Saddle Up For 2nd Grade turning 10 this year in 2022, I wanted to celebrate teachers everywhere by sharing 10 reasons why teachers are truly real-life heroes.

1. Dedicated

The first reason why teachers are the best is that they are dedicated. Many people are dedicated to their jobs, but teachers are so incredibly dedicated to their students. They go above and beyond to do what is best for their students in and out of the classroom.

Teachers give so much of their time outside of their paid hours to serve and love their students. From early morning cafeteria duty to late night lesson planning after everyone else goes to bed, and watching their students play sports over the weekend, teachers are always there for their students.

2. Passionate

Teachers are the best because they are extremely passionate. They spend hours of their time creating a welcoming student-centered environment where all of their students feel safe and loved. Not to mention, they pour their hearts into helping each of their students learn in the way they will be most successful. The most memorable teachers spread positivity and genuinely enjoy teaching and engaging with their students. 

3. Selfless

This reason why teachers are the best is one of my favorites. Teachers are selfless. Whether it’s using their own money to purchase classroom supplies, giving their lunch to a student who forgot theirs, buying a coat for a child in need, or helping a student brush their teeth or hair in the morning when they get to school, teachers will do anything to ensure their students feel appreciated and loved.

4. Creative

Teachers are the best because they are some of the most creative people out there. From classroom transformations to using food to teach math concepts, to bringing stories to life with costumes, and experiments that students will remember forever, teachers blow me away with their creativity. They think outside of the box so that learning is fun and accessible for everyone. 

5. Kind

Teachers have the kindest hearts. Kindness is one of the most important things we want to instill in our students, and there are no better humans to model this than teachers. Being a kind teacher helps students feel welcome, cared for, and loved. Writing an encouraging note, praising students for positive behavior, and encouraging them to never give up are just a few examples of the kindness teachers give each day. 

6. Master Multitaskers

Let’s be real, teachers are master multitaskers, and truly, teachers aren’t just teachers. They are also a cheerleader, support person, foster parent, story teller, nurse, caregiver, differentiation guru, the keeper of tissues and ice packs, the copy machine magician, and so much more. The list could go on forever.

Teachers stay organized despite the mountains of paperwork that goes across their desk and classroom and are always prepared with copies of all the things (plus extras, because they never know when a new student to love may arrive). They are loving discipline drill sergeants and can silence a student or prevent a negative choice with just one look. Teachers are the best because they can literally do it all!

7. Inspiring and Encouraging

A teacher that inspires is the type of teacher who will be remembered by his or her students for years to come. Inspiration is one of the most important gifts a teacher can provide. A teacher that inspires is a role model and influence that goes beyond what happens in the classroom.

Along with inspiration comes encouragement. Teachers provide encouragement for all students and let them know that they are supported and can overcome any obstacles that they may be facing, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

8. Adaptable

I’ve always been a go with the flow kind of person, and I know not everyone is like that. But in teaching, it’s a whole new world everyday and teachers have to adapt to each day differently. One day they might leave feeling great and the next they may leave in tears.

Because each day is so different, they have to be flexible and adapt to unexpected changes, such as having a parent walk into the room with cupcakes for their child’s birthday that they didn’t know about… SURPRISE! Their schedule may be interrupted because of a fire drill, a child getting sick, a mouse running across their classroom floor (ask me how I know that!), or a global pandemic that completely rocks the entire world. No matter what happens, teachers adapt to each and every situation that comes their way and they always give it their all.

9. Love of Learning

I’ve always said that the best teachers out there are the ones who never stop learning. The ones who continue to find best practices to ensure that all students’ needs are met. These teachers also instill that love of learning in their students and teach them that no matter what we face in life, there is always room to grow and to never stop learning. 

10. Impactful

Last but certainly not least, teachers are the best because they are impactful. A great teacher can make a world of difference in a student’s life, impacting them both inside and outside of the classroom. These are the teachers that are frequently visited by former students, even years after their time in that teacher’s classroom has passed.

Thank You, Teachers!

To all of you teachers out there, THANK YOU! Thank you for being the heroes that you are. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and allowing me be a part of your educational journey over the past 10 years. Thank you for bringing me joy in ways that I never could have imagined.

I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years have in store for Saddle Up For 2nd Grade and the world of education. Don’t ever forget how amazing you are, the impact that you have each day, and always remember, teachers are the best!

Let’s Stay in Touch!

I’d love to continue to support you on your journey as a teacher. Use the links below to stay in touch, find support, and be in community with other amazing teachers like you!

• Saddle Up For 2nd Grade Blog
• Saddle Up For 2nd Grade Teachers Facebook Group
• YouTube Channel
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Page
• Website Store (think, shopping small!)
• TpT Store (think, big department store!)

To hear the 10 reasons why teachers are the best and take a walk down memory lane with me as I celebrate 10 years of Saddle Up For 2nd Grade, check out my YouTube video below!

Pin this post for later so you can revisit it on a day when you need some encouragement and love. Be sure to share it with a teacher friend that YOU appreciate as well!