By Lydia Melby, Arts Editor

They are people you see every day. They smile at you, ask you how your weekend was and usually are interested in your well-being. They may be some of the most influential people in your life, and, if you choose, you could learn so much from them. However, since they are available all the time, I find most people our age take them for granted. No, I’m not talking about your friends – although I guess you shouldn’t take them for granted either – I’m talking about your teachers.

Whining about teachers is like whining about Chapel and saying, “I’m a princess, so treat me like one!” – all three fall under my biggest pet peeves. Every time I hear someone whining about their homework assignment or their “boring” teacher whose tests are too hard, I wonder how that person ever made it out of high school. I mean, this is college; did you think ACU had naptime worked into your homework schedule? I’m sorry if you hate to read and write papers and take tests, but since “learning-by-osmosis” has yet to be successful, this is the best system society has.

So quit whining and try to get it through your hazy minds that teachers give a lot for their jobs, and although you (or probably, your parents) are paying a lot for tuition, most of the money does not go to the person actually working, but rather funds things like statues and ponds and welcome centers. So instead of showing up late to class or skipping altogether, instead of laying your head down on your backpack and going to sleep right in front of the teacher and instead of texting and whispering to your neighbor, you should try to pay attention for a change. I mean honestly, you can (and probably will) always catch up with your texting in Chapel.

This is not to say I don’t understand the occasional teacher frustration. Schools always will have smug, condescending teachers who love to play favorites and talk about themselves and how great they are at what they do, but this sort of teacher really is the exception to the rule. I think we can all agree most teachers, or at least the ones at ACU, try to make their classes a rewarding experience, if not necessarily enjoyable. And remember, especially in today’s economy, these people can help you with connections and references, and if you give your instructors the respect they reasonably deserve, they should be willing to reciprocate. Who does not like it when everybody wins?

I think we should celebrate a once a month “teacher appreciation day,” maybe a day where every student gives their teacher an apple, the symbol of students’ gratefulness for the time and effort their teachers have put into the classes.

Save your griping for the end of the semester evaluation, where it actually might do some good and not annoy those around you. Your underappreciated educators deserve some recognition, so get them a card or something every now and then – just not a Valentine’s Day card, since that might be weird.