PATASKALA, Ohio — Students don't need teachers to be in schools to make a difference. They only need them to be in their hearts.
"Dear Mrs. Spaeth and Mrs. Waddell, thank you for teaching me and helping me learn from home," said Hailey, an Etna Elementary student
"You have been the best teacher I have ever had," said Calvin, a Pataskala Elementary student.
"Ms. Erin and Ms. Abby, I miss you," said Otto, a PRE-K student.
For Teachers Appreciation Week, students can't be with teachers, but they can thank them.
"Dear Mrs. Ericson, I really miss seeing you every day," said Gabby, a Liberty Christian Academy student.
It was a simple question: would any students, with parents permission, want to write a letter of appreciation to their teacher?
Responses poured in.
"Thank you for keeping me on track and pushing me forward to do my best," said Emily, an Etna Elementary student.
"Mrs. Bales, you are the best teacher," said Brayden, a Kirkersville Elementary student.
"Dear Mrs. Sanders, you are a good teacher," said Kreuz, a Pataskala Elementary student. "You are the reason I'm going to fourth grade."
"When we walk in the door, every morning, you give us a hug," said Maddox, a Liberty Christian student.
"I appreciate you for being the best teacher, ever," Gabby said. "I can't wait to see you again. Love, Gabby."
But the students didn't know the letters weren't for 10TV to hear. They were for their teachers.
One by one, teachers surprised their students on a Zoom video call.
"I did not expect that," Hailey said, laughing.
"Appreciation" - a much better use of 12 letters than "global crisis."
"You know, this has been hard," said Kirkersville teacher Danielle Darst. "I'm not really cut out for online teaching and I miss them so much. It's been tough."
"I don't know any great teachers that became a teacher because they're really into their content," said Liberty Christian Academy teacher Betsy Ericson. "All of the best teachers became teachers because they want to hang out with kids."
Suzanne Sanders, Kreuz's teacher at Pataskala Elementary, said the appreciation she was shown from her student speaks to his character.
"This act of kindness does not surprise me, at all, coming from you [Kreuz], but it is so much appreciated and it is certainly something we will remember forever," she said. "So, thank you so much for taking the time to write that."
Ask students where their teachers are; they won't say a school. They'll tell you the best teachers are always in their heart.