Students criticize, complain about, and degrade teachers incessantly. We are always talking about how they take too long to grade our papers, assign us too much homework, and seemingly plot against us by assigning as many tests as possible on the same day.

Unfortunately, it took the Sandy Hook tragedy to remind me how grateful we all should be for the teachers we are blessed to have. Those elementary school teachers selflessly put their life on the line in order to save as many innocent children as they could, and a handful lost their life by doing so.

Every day, teachers commit themselves to being a positive influence in their students’ lives and are responsible for molding the future generation of America. Without them, none of us would have the knowledge and aptitude to effectively pursue our dreams and aspirations. However, all students tend to do is disrespect them instead of giving them the thanks they deserve.

Teaching is not an 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. job. Tutoring, planning lessons, and grading papers are only a few of their job requirements that teachers must make time for outside of normal school hours. However, some of them even go beyond that: Wednesday night physics labs, Thursday night math tutoring.

Furthermore, teachers always tout that they are there for us to use as a support system. I’ve never heard of a teacher turning down a student that asks for their help, and I myself have benefited tremendously from the advice of my teachers and coaches.

Teachers don’t get as much credit as they deserve. So many students demand so much out of one teacher and expect more than any normal person should be able to handle. Without teachers serving as our mentors, our world would be nowhere close to the place it today.

Hopefully, students take a chance to reflect on the impact teachers have had in their lives, in light of the Connecticut tragedy, and spend the holiday season appreciating what teachers have done for us.