November 25, 2024
Central to City Academy’s mission of empowering students through exceptional education are our dedicated teachers, who guide each student on their unique journey. Each May, during Teacher Appreciation Week, our City Academy families generously provide lunch, snacks, and kind words. This year, our administration team added some special touches. First, we displayed a digital billboard near I-70 and Jennings featuring photos of all our teachers and the slogan “We Love Our Teachers!”
We also asked teachers to nominate students for a “promo video” for Give STL Day in early May. In reality, we interviewed students about their favorite teachers and what made them special. One student called 2nd Grade Humanities Teacher Mrs. Zink “a ray of sunshine,” recalling how she once traveled an hour to attend his basketball game. Another student expressed gratitude to Ms. Schnuck for building his confidence, saying, “She would
call on me even though I didn’t know the answer, but she wanted to build my confidence, and it definitely gave me more confidence to answer more.”
After the interviews, we invited teachers into a conference room one by one for a surprise screening of the students’ remarks, capturing their reactions on a hidden camera. It was an emotional experience for many, providing exactly the inspiration needed to finish the school year strong.
However, teacher appreciation at City Academy extends beyond one week a year — it is a daily acknowledgment of the vital role our teachers play in preparing students for their futures. Every day, our teachers build confidence, demonstrate resilience, and foster a growth mindset.
During our 25th School Year celebration in November, alumna Zuri Thomas (Class of 2012) highlighted the lasting impact of her City Academy teachers. She said, “Mrs. Fennoy and Mr. Warr pushed me to get back up, change my strategy, and try again. Eleven years later, I realize they helped prepare me for life.”
The Class of 2024 echoed these sentiments at their graduation, where many students expressed heartfelt gratitude for their teachers. They recognized the lessons in perseverance, confidence, mentorship, and life skills imparted by their educators. Kayden Herron shared, “Mrs. Oteng was more than just a teacher; she was a guiding light in my 6th grade journey. She taught me the importance of math and its value in the world.”
At City Academy, we are grateful to all our teachers who continually remind students to live by the words of our school pledge, “I can be my best by doing my best in everything I do.” Their dedication and passion are the foundation of our students’ success, and for that, we say thank you.