Local schools give thanks during Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week (Source: MGN, Phil Roeder / CC BY 2.0) By Emily Griffin | May 5, 2021 at 4:15 PM EDT - Updated May 5 at 4:15 PM WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) - Zoom meetings, COVID cohorts, sudden shutdowns. It has been a long and challenging year for teachers. This week, schools are giving thanks to teachers. Itâs Teacher Appreciation Week and educators will tell you they can use your encouragement. âThis, by far, has been the most challenging year. Last year, we were new to the COVID issue and trying to manage that. Now, being back in person and having some out on Zoom, it is a challenge every day,â said John Montondo, Immaculate Heart Central School teacher.