Imagine a room of teachers. They come from all around the country – and US territories like Guam and Samoa. They are all gathered in a room in the Institute of Texan Cultures, telling stories – about themselves, their work, and especially, their students.

I was recently in this room, together with the 2016 Teachers of the Year. Not going to lie: It was fun – and poignant, and inspiring. And loud! As a former middle school teacher, I can tell you that the volume of this group rivaled any I experienced during hall duty between classes.

Some of those stories made us laugh harder than I have in ages. And many of the stories made us cry. There is no missing how deeply teachers care for their students and for the possibilities they hold.

NWEA is proud to support the Teacher of the Year program, run by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and coordinated by state departments of education. It’s one of the most important ways we express our mission of Partnering to help all kids learn – and connecting with teachers, whether they are NWEA partners or not, informs our work every day.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing the voices of teachers in this blog and in a special Valentine we’re preparing for teachers – look for something special mid-month on that front.

In the meantime, we just want to say thank you to the teachers who work so hard and care so much. You shape the future with your hearts, your minds, and your caring touch. No work is more sacred.

NWEA’s Kelly Goodrich (left) and Jean Fleming with Heather Anderson, 2016 Oregon Teacher of the Year