Thinking of what happened at Sandy Hook, because, OMG, even if I turn off the tv and step away from the computer like fake Morgan Freeman says, I can not shut it out of my heart. A dear friend’s family is suffering over the hateful senseless loss of a sweet little boy just days after his 6th birthday, I am thinking of those who without hesitation rushed to protect the children…the principal, the school psychologist, the teachers…all of them who did everything in their power against a deranged individual armed with a Bushmaster AR-15 assault-type rifle and two handguns to protect their students…the children. They rushed that individual and blocked him from the children not unlike the way many of us parents imagine we would do without hesitation to protect our own children, our beautiful children.

Over the years, I was blessed with many great teachers, teachers who genuinely cared about me and tried to help me weather through so much pain and turmoil and keep alive my thirst for learning. Raising my children I have been fortunate to trust so many teachers with my own precious children. All, but perhaps two, truly, truly cared for their students, including my children. God forbid, if such a horrible thing were to happen at my children’s schools I am certain and confident that these men and women would try to protect my children just as I would. There is no question in my mind.

Teachers lately have been much maligned for practically everything. Perhaps it is time that we recognize that for teachers this is so much more than a job, an occupation, a career. They have dedicated their lives, their time, their hearts, even their own money to help teach, guide and inspire the children…our children. Perhaps now, in order to honor the memory of the those who died at Sandy Hook Elementary, we should reach out and thank them…thank our children’s teachers, thank our own teacher, thank all teachers.

In our rushed world, we rarely have an opportunity to show our appreciation for those who spend 6 hours a day with our children. Those who give of their time and brilliant minds to help our own children to stay safe, comfortable, loved and to help them grow.

On Monday, December 17, 2012, take a moment and thank a teacher. Send her an email, a card, a bouquet of flowers. Create a “thank you” bulletin board. Offer to help from home. Make time to volunteer in the classroom.

Take a few minutes in your day and connect with your favorite teacher, or your child’s teacher. It’s simple; just tell him or her “thank you.”

If you work in media, we ask that you join hundreds of bloggers throughout the US in recognizing Thank a Teacher Day 2012, created in loving memory of those who lost their lives in Newtown, CT, and in honor of the hundreds of thousands of teachers who would do that tomorrow for your child.