Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week: A Time to Say "Thank You"

National Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated during the first full week of May. It’s a great time to acknowledge the hard work teachers that do every day to nurture and guide the next generation. The last few years have been hard on all of us, and teachers face additional challenges of funding and staffing shortages that make the work of supporting our kids that much harder. 

According to the 2022 Educator Confidence Report, which surveys a representative sample of U.S. educators to gauge topics such as educator satisfaction, teacher morale is very low. More than 3 in 4 educators feel “somewhat negative” to “very negative” about the state of the teaching profession in the U.S. today. At a time when many of their peers are choosing to leave the profession, these hard working educators could use some encouragement and support! What’s a parent to do?

Trust and Support Teachers

• Trust in teachers’ professionalism and expertise just as you'd trust another professional with comparable credentials.
• Support your child's education by reading with them and to them, practicing math facts together, and working with them on how to manage their time and keep track of assignments. Supporting your child in these ways makes a teacher’s job easier!
• Stay informed of what’s happening in your child’s classroom, school, and district by reading newsletters and emails, participating in school activities, and communicating with other parents.
• Donate to your child’s classroom. Donations of time, school supplies, or money are often appreciated. For financial donations, consider DonorsChoose which allows you to donate directly to public school classroom projects all over the U.S!

Advocate for Teachers

• Vote/speak your mind by participating in local elections, attending school board meetings, and lobbying local and state representatives for policies that benefit teachers and improve the education system.
• Amplify your voice by raising awareness among friends, family, and community members about voting for education-friendly candidates and engaging with campaigns that prioritize education and better conditions for teachers.

Write to Your Child’s Teacher(s)

Every teacher I know says that their favorite gift from a child is a personal note. When you take the time to help your child write a note, it shows that you have taken the time to think about them. Ask your child what they appreciate about their teachers. I guarantee you’ll learn something about the teacher and your child!

While you’re at it, send your own personal note of thanks. Tell teachers, specifically, what you appreciate about them. Has a teacher inspired your child? Helped them to work harder? Helped them become more confident? Tell them! And if you’re more of an email person than a handwritten-note person, great! Send a quick email and CC the principal, too!

But wait, what’s that? Some organized parent is mobilizing everyone to give a class gift? That’s awesome – good for them! If that organized parent happens to be you, good for you, it’s so terrific that you’re doing that! But go ahead and write a personal note anyway – it matters. 

And if yours is a family that likes to show appreciation with treats, Smart Start Granola is always a hit! 

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