STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – Strongsville students had a day off from school yesterday, so their replacement teachers could gather their belongings and make way for the union teachers who are returning to work after an eight-week strike.

Most of the focus in town is on the returning teachers.  Many students are reportedly – and understandably – excited about reuniting with the educators who have guided them for years.

But several students took a few minutes Monday to go to Strongsville High School and thank the people who had the courage to cross the picket lines, put up with union abuse and keep school open for the past two months, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK

Several of the replacement teachers reportedly wept as they listened to grateful farewells from students in a special assembly that was closed to the media.

“They got attached to the students,” high school Principal William Steffen said.

Sophomore Kaylie Kirkwood reportedly told one replacement teacher, “I didn’t learn a lot of history, but I did learn life lessons, patience and acceptance,” the news report said.

Sarah Windrod said she told the replacement teachers “thanks for helping us during the hard eight weeks. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

Another sophomore, Katie Kurnick, said the substitutes “did a lot with what they were given and worked with it very well.”

This was, without a doubt, a no-win situation for the 120 replacement teachers. They were stepping into the middle of an ugly labor dispute and taking away a union leverage point by helping to keep the schools open.

MORE NEWS: How to prepare for face-to-face classes

They had to stay calm when they showed up to apply for the jobs and encountered verbal abuse from union protesters. They had to deal with union personnel passing leaflets around their neighborhoods, referring to them as “scabs.” They had to remain patient when protesting teachers stood outside schools and made all the noise they possibly could to disrupt classes.

More than anything, they had to ignore union insults about their supposed lack of ability to teach students anything worthwhile. As if union teachers are the only professionals in the world who can offer kids anything positive.

These replacement teachers did not get rich filling in for the striking teachers. They took the jobs knowing they might only work a few days and earn only a few measly bucks.

But they still showed up and offered their services to the children of Strongsville, which is far more than the union teachers can say.

The union was willing to trash the educational process for thousands of kids to get its way at the bargaining table. To us, that would be like a doctor refusing to perform an important surgery until his compensation demands are met. At some point there has to be a level of commitment and professionalism that supersedes adult financial disputes.

In any case, the replacement teachers of Strongsville deserve the respect of the community, and the school board deserves kudos for keeping the schools open during the strike, regardless of the cost.

The children received more education than they would have otherwise. And schools exist to educate children, not to serve as staging areas for industrial-style labor disputes.