ribbon to show Rose pride. Teachers had the options of chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies or brownies. 

     “I got a peanut butter cookie with M&Ms and it was delicious,” Rose English teacher Alessandra Nysether-Santos said.

     Students are not the only ones showing appreciation to teachers this week; restaurants and stores have also joined in on giving back. Restaurants have been giving free entrèes and sides to teachers while stores have been giving discounts on school supplies and electronics.

     “It's always very exciting for teachers because we get cool coupons and good deals,” Santos said.

     Santos describes Teacher Appreciation Week as a time for teachers to slow down and be appreciated despite some of the hardships that she believes teachers face, such as being underpaid and under-supported.

     “While we have a great community here at Rose, it's always nice to get that little extra appreciation,” Santos said.   

     Even when students are not showing big acts of appreciation, some teachers at Rose still find joy in the little things.

     “I feel I get the love all the time,” Santos said. “I have kids who would leave little candies on my desk and help with things, so I feel appreciated.”

      Santos says she feels the best thing about teaching is the community and relationships she builds with her students and colleagues, and being able to have the experience of seeing them grow.

     “I was just talking to a student about how I've known them since they were a freshman and now how they are about to graduate soon,” Santos said. “I’ve seen them grow so much and I'm so proud of them.”