“If you can read this, thank a teacher.” We’ve all seen the bumper sticker somewhere along the way, but how many of us have stopped recently to say “thanks” to a teacher?

This week, Pike County joins the nation in Teacher Appreciation Week — five days set aside to simply say “thanks” to the men and women who have the task of instilling a love of learning in our youngsters.

Whether the nurturing souls who teach the basics of good behavior and colors in preschool or the more challenging task masters who are teahing important lessons about responsiblity, accountability and self-reliance to high school juniors struggling through research papers and beyond, teachers are critical to the formation of the minds and work ethics of so generations of Americans. More than 3.7 million Americans have answered the call to this noble profession, and we’ve got hundreds of them right here in PIke County.

Throughout the week, parent-teacher organizations, schools and many others will be making an effort to say “thanks” to all the teachers are are making a difference right here in our classrooms. On Thursday, The Messenger and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee are partnering for a Business After Hours event, inviting all teachers in the county to come to The Messenger’s office, for punch, cookies and a chance for the business folks to say “thanks” once again for all you do invest in the future of the community.

So if you’re reading this, take the time this week to thank a teacher. Chances are, he or she made more of an impact on your life than you realized at the time.