Some Yumminess!
The bell rang. Next, I dismissed my students. As I was assisting with dismissal, a parent comes up to me and gifts me a dozen cinnamon rolls from a local berry farm. If you know, you know! They are DELICIOUS! I was surprised; I did not expect a gift and to top it off, such a tasty one! “Thank you so much!” I announced.
Next, the parent sincerely replied, “This is a token of our appreciation. Thank you for all you do for our child.” I almost cried! Yes, I am a crier! I exclaimed how grateful I was for the generous gesture.
How it Started
I am a fifth grade reading and language arts teacher. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to become a teacher. “Teaching” my Barbie dolls was my thing. Words are not enough to express the love I have for my career. I love watching students learn and become successful in life. Engaging my students with creative lessons, centers, group work, and success is what I am all about!
How it Is Going
It has not been our typical school year. A pandemic took over. For example, I teach students face-to-face and online. I have had to adapt to this change. Also, the students have had to adapt as well. With this said, students in the class must wear masks, sit six feet apart, and keep socially distanced throughout the day. Students at home are adapting to being in front of a computer for hours, learning virtually. As a teacher, I cannot do group activities! Thanks, COVID!
But, I have made the BEST out of our situation. I have searched for lessons and ideas, and have made my lessons fun, engaging, and memorable–keeping in mind that I am also teaching students virtually. Long hours of work have been put into action. You can say I have been VIRTUALLY UNSTOPPABLE!
A Teacher Wears Many Hats
With this said, teachers do not only teach. We care for our students. I feel like my students are my own children. They look up to me as their mom, their friend, and their counselor. Encouraging words will always be said in my class. Yes, I teach them reading skills, but I also bandage a knee scrape, dry up tears, put smiles on faces, teach life lessons, and I can continue. Truly, I have a rewarding career.
A Week of Appreciation
Therefore, in honor of our hard work and dedication to our students, teachers are shown appreciation during the month of May (May 3rd – 7th). We call it Teacher Appreciation Week.
Teachers need to know that we are thought of and appreciated. We do not want our work to go unnoticed, especially with all the trials we have had to endure this school year. It means the world to us when a student praises us for what we have done for them.
How to Show Your Appreciation
Even though this school year has been a bit different since many of us teachers are teaching both face-to-face and virtually, you can still show your appreciation towards our love of teaching for your child.
Virtual Gifts
Students/Parents can…
- Create thank you videos as a class or individually
- Send e-cards or electronic gift cards
- Put together a collage of photos of the school year and create a PowerPoint slide show
- Record students or a group of students reading a book
Physical Gifts
Students/Parents can…
- Set up a car parade with banners, balloons, decorations, and music (Getting together with a group of other parents would be a great idea to plan this.)
- Gift yard signs with thank you expressions/quotes
- Customize jewelry and coffee mugs with teacher quotes
- Other gift ideas include teacher supplies (we always need them), flowers, DIY gifts (I personally LOVE these! Be creative!), gift cards (we do love our coffee and Target runs), desserts (since teachers are SO SWEET!)
Great Teacher Appreciation Books
–A Letter to my Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
–Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
–Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood
–An A From Miss Keller by Patricia Polacco
–The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
Always remember that teachers are doing the BEST that they can during these tough times! Let’s show appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week!
Teachers encourage minds to think, hands to create, and hearts to love.
For more Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas, be sure to check out this post!
