We are currently in the middle of National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6.

Everyone remembers at least one teacher whose influence went beyond the transfer of knowledge from a book into our brains. Our better teachers made us realize that the classroom did not have to be dull. They helped to unlock the developing awareness of the world, other people, and the vast, vast body of knowledge that is out there to learn. They made us want to learn. They pushed us to do more.

Some helped their students prepare for skilled trades, college, home life, military service, and the business world. For every different type of student, there was a teacher somewhere along the line who understood and who helped.

More than ever, the classroom and what’s taught are under scrutiny. Some states are trying to dampen study of sensitive areas. Teachers are called many things, not all of them good. A snitch line in Virginia unbelievably asks the public to let the governor know who is being “divisiv...