Local high schoolers recognize teacher appreciation week

CBS 13's April Hettinger looks into the new statewide honor for teachers

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - It's Teacher Appreciation Week nationally and Gov. Doug Ducey declared May 4th as Teacher Appreciation Day in Arizona which is why high school students in Yuma are sharing the love this week.

"This year more than ever, students have reached out with like genuine thankfulness for what we do and trying to help them through it," said Kristin Collins, english teacher at Cibola High School. "We care about them and worry about them so it means a lot that like they see that."

This year, teachers were faced with the challenge of continuing to deliver high school-level subjects through a computer screen, but they didn't let students down, according to Cibola High School junior Paige Dorries.

"A lot of people have difficulty learning online. I think they were really helpful with like getting us to participate and get their learning across to us," Dorries said.

The Cibola High School Student Council, including sophomore Hannah Durney, made posters and virtual cards to recognize teachers.

"She's a really good role model to all of us and she's really helped us throughout the year," said Durney in reference to her Student Council teacher.

Students also organized a special breakfast to thank them for being role models, but more importantly, acknowledge the relationship they have with one another.

"What I've realized is that the students are the heartbeat of this school because you sit here all day in an empty classroom and empty hallways and then the day that they first came back in September was like the greatest first day of school of all time," Collins explained.

And, it's a great week for the teachers to recognize each other, according to Loren Simpson, Student Council teacher at Cibola High School.

"I work with the best group of people possible and you cannot convince me that there's a better place to work than Cibola," Simpson stated.

Gov. Ducey signed an official proclamation making May 4th the day to honor teachers across Arizona who go above and beyond for their students.

Tonight at 10, CBS 13's April Hettinger dives into the student's gratitude for their teacher and why this year's Teacher Appreciation Week is particularly special.