This National Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor those who unlock human potential and we contemplate the cherished role that teachers play in our lives.
Recall the story of Anne Sullivan, Hellen Keller’s teacher.
Before Sullivan’s arrival, Keller’s reach was limited. Full of potential, but trapped in silence, her world was small. Partially blind herself, Sullivan’s expertise and her belief in the dignity of her student changed that.
Persisting for weeks, Sullivan placed objects in Helen’s hand and spelled their names in her palm. D-O-L-L. H-A-T. C-U-P. Helen didn’t understand at first. She grew tired. Angry, at times.
Finally, a breakthrough came at the well. When Sullivan spelled "W-A-T-E-R" into Keller’s palm as the cool stream poured over it, Helen understood—a transformation that would lead her to great heights.
The teacher-student relationship is one of our most essential social contracts. We entrust teaching, an act of profound patience, perseverance, and compassion, to those who recognize the inherent dignity and humanity of each student.
At the Prohuman Foundation, we are committed to providing support to the people leading this vital work.
If you believe, as we do, that education requires courage, grit, and compassion, and a devotion to students grounded in optimism, join us.
To learn more about our mission, visit
prohumanfoundation.org.