On Mother’s Day, mothers around the world awake to thoughtfully written cards,
colorful floral arrangements, and carefully picked gifts. The dream of Mother’s Day is a day to relax from the exhilarating duties of motherhood, Math Teacher Lauren Sutherlin said.Teachers guide student education while also helping their own children at home, Science Teacher Lisa Street said. Juggling work and personal life is a frequent challenge, but time management has helped create balance, Sutherlin said.

“As I have become more experienced as a mother and teacher, I have become a lot better about using my time effectively,” Sutherlin said. “During my prep periods, I am better about getting stuff done, knowing that when I get home at 4 p.m., a whole new day is starting over with my kids.”

Street had her baby, Savannah, in Jan. 2025, and despite the sleepless nights, just seeing her daughter when she comes home makes all the hard work worthwhile. Students often do not see how much effort teachers put in, despite commitments in teachers’ personal lives, Street added.

“I put a smile on my face because there is no reason not to have a smile on my face,” Street said. “I may be tired, but I try not to let it show because I love my students and I need to have energy for them.”

Teachers put more effort and time into lessons, planning, and grading than anticipated, freshman CeCe Downing said. CeCe has learned from her mother, Elizabeth Downing, Special Education Teacher, that teachers are truly invested in fostering their students’ success, CeCe said. It is not always an easy feat to have what is essentially two sets of kids, one at home and the other at school, Sutherlin added.

“I do feel more like a motherly figure to my students, even though I am not their mom,” Sutherlin said. “I have genuine interest, care, and concern for my students as if they were my own.”

Since mothers do a great deal for their children, Mother’s Day is the one day for them to relax while their children do something meaningful for them, Charlotte Tryfonopoulos, Instructional Assistant for the
Deans’ Office, said.

“As parents, you do so much for your kids all the time,” Tryfonopoulos said. “Mother’s Day officially gives them an opportunity to be on the giving side.”

Mother’s Day means reflecting and honoring mothers for all they have done for their children, School Counselor Karen Klebba said. That also means emulating her own mother’s dedication and hard work to her children. Out of all her life experiences, being a mother is the most rewarding, and what brings her the most joy, Klebba added.

“For any parent, watching your children grow, evolve, and change interests, what they start to value as they grow older, and become their own person, is really beautiful to see,” Klebba said.