The week of May 1st to the 5th was teacher appreciation week and the Tyrone Student Council took it upon themselves to make the week special for many of the teachers and support staff in the building.

Led by student council adviser Erica Martin, each member chose a teacher, or staff member, as their secret pal. Because there are more teachers and staff than student council members, the group reached out to other students to make sure that everyone on staff was included.

They then got their teachers small gifts every day of the week.

On Wednesday, student council brought coffee to every teacher and staff person in the building.

Thursday, the teachers were all treated to a lunch from the Village Pantry in Tyrone.

On Friday, student council sponsored a  student-teacher breakfast where the secret pal revealed themselves to their teacher.

Some pals were so secretive that their secret pal could not figure out that it was them.

“My secret pal is really secretive, I don’t know how my gift showed up in my room this morning without me knowing about it,” said social studies teacher Cummins McNitt.

Some secret pals even made homemade gifts to give their teacher. “I got some AMAZING homemade banana nut bars this morning,” said school nurse Julie Patton.

“Lovin’ my coffee. Absolutely delish and needed on a Monday morning! Thank you, secret pal,” said health tech teacher Christie Taylor.

As well as getting their teacher very special gifts, many of the secret pals came up with humerous puns to go along with the gifts. “Jake Meredith shot me a bottle of “Iconic 20 Gram Protein Coffee” with the message: “Lifting, teaching, being beautiful? This should help.” The humor tasted as good as the coffee,” said English teacher Steve Everhart.

Many teachers said that really appreciated all the thought and effort that went into their gifts.

“To learn that Jayden Graham was my secret pal for the week blew my mind. It was totally unexpected, which made the experience that much more enjoyable. I am truly honored to have her select me – she has completely made my entire month,” said social studies teacher Cummins McNitt.

“I have the best secret pal ever,” said senior English teacher Kathy Beigle, “The first day I received five packs of gum. Second day, not one bottle, but an entire six pack of diet cherry Pepsi. Today, my favorite so far, Dove dark chocolate  – an entire bag.”

“Candy and coffee are great, but the letter that I got from my secret pal was the best teacher appreciation week gift I could ever receive,” said social studies teacher Todd Cammarata, “I am so appreciative for the kind words that Jamie shared. Knowing that you can make a difference for someone make this best job in the world.”

“I am very thankful for the special gifts all week. Thanks,” said Guidance Office Assistant Brooke Yaudes.

“I’d like to thank my  Secret Pal, Toni Burns. She did an amazing  job surprising me each day with unique gifts with awesome puns like ‘You are a TOEtally awesome teacher’ – the gift was nail polish!  My favorite was ‘You’re the ‘BALM’ Ms. Barlett’ and the gift was  Chapstick!   The gift she gave me this morning was a pack of highlighters with the inscription – ‘You’ve been the HIGHLIGHT of my year!’ Toni obviously put a lot of thought and effort into making my week special.  I will miss her smiling face and upbeat attitude,” said English and ESL teacher Rebecca Barlett.

“Teacher Appreciation Week rocks. I was thankful for the encouragement,” said English teacher Leah Deskevich.