They’re there to inspire, guide and mentor. They make sure we know our ABCs and 1, 2, 3s. They’re teachers and we at Land O' Lakes Patch think they are pretty darn special.

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers that helped shape our lives and yours. We’d also like to recognize the special teachers in our community that have made an impact on you and your children.

To show our teachers that we all care, we invite you to share your stories about teachers who have gone above and beyond to help guide you or your children.

Just share your stories in the comments section below.

You can also upload photos right to this story of your favorite teachers or favorite school year activities.