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SALT LAKE CITY — Billboards along Interstate 15 are showing teachers some extra love on Valentine's Day.
It's an effort that's growing, thanks to donations. And it comes just when teachers are going through a very rough time with staffing levels in schools and finding enough substitute teachers.
The group Utah Parents Involved in Education is organizing the billboard campaign.
They are still working on the final design, but they want it to look like a valentine, with the words "We Love Teachers!"
"I hope it shows them that there are parents and families out there who just are so appreciative of their work," said Cissy Rasmussen with Utah Parents Involved in Education. "It's really kind of one of those jobs that we kind of take for granted because we just drop our kids off, and at the end of the day, we pick them up."
Right now, the message is already scheduled for 11 digital billboards in Salt Lake, Utah and Washington counties. And they are trying to find additional billboards in Davis County.
"Most families love the teachers," Rasmussen said. "We want them to see this as we love you. We support you. We know it's horrible and hard and you just keep at it. And that we're here for them."
The message for teachers will rotate on the digital billboards on Valentine's Day and the day after, and will focus on times when teachers will be on the road.
In addition to the billboards, the group is encouraging Utahns to send thank you letters or emails to teachers.
They originally were only going to have four billboards, but it's already expanded to 11.
With more donations, they hope to add billboards.
If you want to help, visit the Utah Parents Involved in Education Facebook page.
