Have you ever written a thank you note to a teacher? Teacher Appreciation Week is in the beginning of May, and I know for a fact, all teachers adore the mugs, chocolate, and other gifts from their students and families that week. They feel very lucky to be blessed with their students (even those who aren’t able to bring in gifts).
But what if educators were celebrated more than just one week out of the year? For all the hard work they do each and every day when the going is tough and they are tired.
A simple short thank you note from a parent could reignite the spark of a kindergarten teacher who has washed her hands 15 times this morning after wiping runny noses, cleaned up a pile of white glue on the floor, and zipped up enough jackets in one pre-recess time period than most do in a lifetime – all while also trying to teach students how to line up correctly, sit quietly, and oh yeah – read.
I was teaching third grade in Southwest Florida for several years when I met my now husband. I actually met him through a grade level buddy teacher – at our school Fall Festival event.
We dated and then eventually got engaged and it was time for us to move back up north to my hometown in Ohio. You see, I had moved to FL because I couldn’t secure a full-time position in Ohio at that time. I had been a full time substitute for a couple years, but there just were no jobs.
Having an ability to have a family income (instead of a single mom income), I was now able to return with my daughter to our small town near Lake Erie – with my husband.
Before leaving my classroom in Florida at the end of the school year, I wanted to make sure I had some letters of recommendation for attempting another full-time position search when I returned home. This time, I had a few years of experience as a full-time teacher and of course, letters from my administrators and colleagues.
A few parents knew I would be looking for work when I left and offered to write me personal letters of recommendation from a parent’s view. Of course I thanked them for such a lovely surprise.
And to say surprised is an understatement – those were the best letters of reference I have ever received. I was blown away by their kind words typed neatly on the paper. {A few tears may have been shed.}
I already knew I had impacted their children. I could see it in the test scores. I saw their growth in data charts. Most importantly, I witnessed their maturity and knowledge levels grow by leaps and bounds throughout the school year each and every day. I didn’t need data to back that up.
BUT – to see the same statements in writing from those who care about those children more than anyone in the world and to know they trusted me with their most precious gift was overwhelming.
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Writing a quick note to teachers can have that same effect all year long. We shouldn’t need just a week to tell someone they are doing a great job.
What to say to thank a teacher
What if instead, the PTO/PTA created simple thank you templates and distributed them to parents to fill out just once a month at any point in the month? They could be given to any staff member at the school by the students. It would be called #schoolappreciationdays.
- Let’s celebrate school staff personnel all year long!
- Need some example ideas for what the printables could say?
- Our preschool teacher is making a difference in lives of our children. Thank you.
- Thank you teacher for teaching more than subject areas. You are appreciated.
- We are so lucky to have you in our lives teacher.
- A teacher like you is a blessing to us each and every day. Thanks for everything.
- You are doing a fantastic job. Thanks so much.
- The end of the school year will be bittersweet. We will miss you and appreciate everything you have done for our child.
- Expressing my gratitude to you. We are so thankful for you.
- You make a difference.
- Know that you have made our child’s life better. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
- Thanks for being a fantastic teacher!
- Our daughter is learning things beyond our expectations. Thanks for your hard work.
- You are a perfect teacher for our child. Thank you!
- Awesome is not enough to describe you. Thanks for everything you do in the classroom.
- If teachers were pets, you would be the top dog for sure.
- Teaching is hard. We have spent the school breaks with our children. Thanks for being there the rest of the time.
- What we love best about you teacher? Everything. Thank you truly.
- When the going gets tough, they call in a teacher. Thank you for all do you every day!
- You have made a difference in our lives. We appreciate you so much.
- We won the teacher lottery with you!
- So thankful for you teacher.
Use some of the above statements and create a quick flyer or a page full of cute mini notes where parents can write the teacher’s name on it and have a child deliver it to the directed staff member. They can keep them on their fridge at home next to the lunch menu so they are not forgotten.
What a joy for staff members to receive a special note on a random day throughout the school year.
Teacher appreciation doesn’t have to be a full letter or card, but just a quick note of thanks can really make all the difference in the world to someone who truly pours his or her heart into children all day long.
Other ways to celebrate a great teacher all year
Need some more ideas for thanking teachers?
Set up a Candy Bar Staff Awards event at your school – everyone loves a sweet treat from time to time.
A bouquet of flowers is lovely of course. But a bouquet of pencils really gets a teacher’s heart fluttering.
5 ideas for increasing staff moral are included in THIS blog post. Staff potlucks hosted by parents would be appreciated by all!
Who wouldn’t like “room service” delivery to classrooms?
10 Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts That Aren’t Mugs gives even more fun ideas!
Do you have other ideas for how to thank teachers that have worked in your school? We would love to hear them in the comments below!
~Charity
