Thank You, Teachers

Teacher appreciation week is here!! If you are one of our teacher subscribers we want you to know that we see you working your tail off in probably what is the most important, challenging yet underpaid professions in the country.  If you are a parent, we want to help you remember all the things teachers do for your child and encourage you to let them know they are appreciated!

Thank you, teachers, for spending your own money.

Teachers spend a significant amount of their own money each year on their classrooms.  And I’m not just talking about pencils and tissues (although they do use their money for those kinds of supplies too!).  Teachers also spend a significant amount of money on instructional material.  In many cases teachers either may not be provided with textbooks and workbooks for a subject, OR the materials they have are extremely outdated.  On the other hand, they may have newer curriculum materials but still need supplemental resources to go with it that they seek out and purchase (i.e. extra worksheets, projects, reference cards/posters, etc.).

Another major expense for teachers is classroom decorations and basic classroom staples.  You may be thinking, well they don’t have to buy decorations, but 1) you are wrong and 2) what kid wants to sit in a bare classroom all school year with white walls and floors and nothing to make it feel like a fun place to learn?  Teachers undergo nerve racking evaluations from administration in which they are scored on rubrics based off of their state’s teaching standards, one of which is centered on classroom environment.

Obviously how far a teacher takes decorating their classroom is up to them and their budget, but whether they spend way too much money trying to create a Harry Potter themed classroom complete with candles hanging from the ceiling with fishing line (that's me!), or pick a simpler theme, the bottom line is decorating a bare classroom is expensive and time consuming and they do it to make students feel like they are in a safe, comfortable and fun place to learn.

Thank you, teachers, for not only teaching students educational standards, but also life lessons and how to be a good person.

So much is taught in classrooms everyday that have nothing to do with academic standards and everything to do with a child’s personal growth.  Teachers help students develop good habits and character traits such as organizational and time management skills, responsibility, social skills, and accountability just to name a few.  They are not just preparing children for college or a career, teachers are preparing them for LIFE by helping them understand and implement these skills that are essential for success in any field AND for a happy and fulfilling life.

Thank you, teachers, for giving so much of your time.

THIS. This is a category that goes without appreciation too often due to the stereotype that teachers leave school every day when the bell rings and have a relaxing life full of half-days, holidays, extended breaks and never ending summers. The truth is, a teacher’s workday and growing list of responsibilities is what has become seemingly never ending. 

The tiny 40 minute “planning period” most teachers have in their schedule is just enough time to go to the bathroom, check and respond to Remind messages, and barely get started trying to plan a lesson or grade papers before the students return.  In fact, many days a teacher’s planning period time is taken over by a meeting or phone call with a parent, an IEP meeting, a department meeting, a student data meeting, etc., you get the idea.  The planning and grading usually happens anytime BUT during a planning period, which only leaves after school, evenings and weekends.  

In addition, many teachers work at after school programs, sponsor student clubs and organizations and coach school sports teams.  They are active participants volunteering their time in various school functions such as school carnivals and themed family nights. Teachers are also known for spending their lunch time and staying after school to provide extra support to struggling students or to mentor students who need additional support and guidance by providing advice and encouragement.

From the bottom of our heart, THANK YOU teachers for all this and more.  And if you are a parent reading this, don’t let the week slip away without sending a thank you to a teacher for all that they do.  Tip:  Thank them for something specific - it means more.  Feel free to use anything mentioned in this article that relates to the teacher you are thanking or just forward them this article!  

P.S. If you are thinking about getting a teacher a gift for teacher appreciation week, we have some great ideas for you in our article, What Teachers Really Want.