The heartbeat of education lives inside the walls of schools.

Within those walls live stories, stories of kids and teachers in the beautiful mess of learning. It’s a sentiment I share in my book The Leader Inside, and it holds more meaning for me each time I revisit it.

As we celebrate the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week, a week that means so much but could never be enough, I’ve been reflecting on what it truly means to be an educator. The truth is, appreciation for our educators should never be confined to a single week. For me, appreciation for teachers lives in every hallway we walk, every classroom we enter, and every story that unfolds. They are building a legacy that infinitely lives within the hearts and minds of those they serve. 

I’ve been fortunate to serve in many roles that have shaped me, each one refining my perspective and deepening my purpose. But it’s never just about who I am as an educator. It’s about who I’m still becoming. And do you know what is so beautiful about that? It means the journey is still unfolding and there’s always more to learn, more to give, and more lives to touch.

I’m the only administrator in a family of lifelong educators. My parents, my sister, and my grandfather all poured their hearts into this profession. My grandfather was a professor of law, and I can still picture the towering stacks of blue books filled with student writing and case studies he meticulously reviewed. He would light up telling stories about his students—how thoughtful they were, how proud he was of their growth, and how much he loved teaching them. Like the others in my family, he left a legacy not through accolades, but through the lives he touched.

To me, education is one of the most important professions in the world because we have the incredible opportunity to help others recognize the gifts within themselves that they may not yet see. Throughout the trajectory of my life, I have had special teachers do that for me. Can you relate? That’s why I’m here. That’s why we’re here. I believe it’s our responsibility and our privilege to pay it forward so the cycle continues.

This week, I visited multiple schools. I walked hallways during state testing, where I saw teachers creating calm, capable environments for their learners. In other moments, I watched teachers lean in beside students…pre teaching, reteaching, offering feedback, and coaching with purpose. I collaborated with educators to  plan for summer curriculum work, committed to lifting the level of learning for the year ahead. I problem-solved with another teacher about real-time instructional responses to help students reach their highest potential.

And then, there were the quieter, magical moments. Like walking into a primary school with a book in hand, hoping to be invited into a classroom if time allowed. One kindergarten teacher opened her door, welcomed me with a hug, and reintroduced me to her class like I was the most special person in the world. It reminded me how she makes every child feel that way, every single day. Later, she sent me a surprise photo and a message:

“We had a very busy day, and we were very happy to end it with you. There is nothing like learning with five-year-olds! Thank you, Lauren.”

I hadn’t realized that a small gesture, just a snapshot of my day would leave such a lasting impact. More importantly, it reminded me of the powerful role teachers play in creating meaningful, even magical, moments within their learning communities.

It also reminded me of a sentiment shared from Shawn Achor’s best selling book Big Potential:

“Success is not just about how creative or smart or driven you are, but how well you were able to connect with, contribute to, and benefit from the ecosystem of people around you.”

Every role we take on in education offers us a chance to reflect on the educator we are and the one we are still becoming. And if the heartbeat of education lives inside the walls of schools, then the pulse comes from our teachers.

Every hallway, every classroom. It’s where teachers shape lives, spark joy, and build legacies that last.

Teachers, thank you—this week and every day.