This year, more than ever, our teachers need to know how much we appreciate and love them! Are they perfect? No. Did the year go off without a hitch? Nope. Did things go exactly as they had hoped? Not at all.
But let’s remember two things before we start to point out all the things that didn’t go well this year.
1. Most of the obstacles, challenges and guidelines were never set by the actual teachers. And unfortunately, in many districts, teachers don’t really have a “say-so” in any decision-making. Sad, but true. Some leaders disregard that when you have a room full of teachers, you have several decades (yes, I added it up correctly) of teaching years’ experience in that very room. How about we start to listen to their ideas for once, huh?
2. Teachers are humans too. They have families, hobbies and friends. They are trying to manage their own life, in the midst of a global pandemic…just like you. They are showing up each and every day and doing the best they can too. Let’s not be so hard on them all the time, alrighty?
This past year has proven to be the most difficult, most challenging and most exhausting year our teachers have ever experienced. As Teacher Appreciation Week quickly approaches, might I remind you to do something extra special for the amazing teachers in your life?
What do teachers really want?
What we really want is to be noticed. A simple “Thank You” will do. A quick email letting us know you appreciate our efforts. A heartful note from you or your child goes a long way in filling our buckets. A friend of mine always made a ready-to-go dinner for her child’s teacher. Something that the teacher could just pop in the oven after a long day at school. That…is quite a gift.
If you prefer purchasing a gift for your teachers, please know that we already have a cabinet full of #1 Teacher Mugs and can only drink from one at a time anyways! We don’t usually keep knick-knacks and honestly after 20 years of teaching we can’t remember who gave it to us anyways. The feeling of nostalgia is something teachers can’t afford to waste their time on. While we love your child when we have them in our class, we have a new bunch coming next fall and we are always in some state of renewal. If you usually spend money on your teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week, my recommendation would be to put that money on a gift card to a nearby coffee shop or local restaurant. The best gift of all is an Amazon Gift Card! Many people would argue that an Amazon Gift Card seems like it isn’t a personal gift. But, neither is a #1 Teacher Mug, now is it?
But, what do teachers really want?
If someone asked me what I really want, it is to wear my jeans at school for a whole week. Or to skip out on my recess duty for a day! Or to never have to worry about running out of copies! Be sure to check out my Comical Coupon Book for teachers– filled with coupons for all the things we really want. Add a coupon book to your Amazon Gift Card or your heart-felt note. Maybe pass them out to your teacher friends or leave a few in the lounge for others to use, because a good laugh and smile is truly the best gift we can give one another.
You can find a FREE Sample Set or a 12 Coupon Set on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store!
