Let's Hear it For the Teachers

If you have school-aged children, you probably have new teachers in your lives this time of year!  Teachers work long, hard hours preparing for these little ones that they grow to love throughout the year.  (Sure, there are some lazy teachers, but don't let one bad experience ruin it for the rest of them out there who are working their tails off!)

I'm sure most of you already make sure your child's teachers feels valued and appreciated, but if you are looking for some new ideas, this list is for you.

I taught kindergarten for seven years before becoming a mom, and I think I'm learning that you can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you can't the teacher out of the girl.....or something like that!  It has been fun incorporating a few learning moments into Beau's days now that he is older and has a longer attention span!

Here are few ideas that are sure to add a little joy to the start of the school year for your child's teacher:

• Sit down and hand write a note...a sentence or two will do!  Just say that you are looking forward to a great year together.

• Have your child draw a picture or write a note to the teacher thanking them for preparing such a warm and inviting classroom.  

• Stick a $5 Starbucks card in your child's folder one day for the teacher! (or Chick-fil-a or Panera or whatever...but you get the point)

• Even better, show up with the teacher's favorite drink and drop it off!  Note...when dropping off the drink, do not linger.  Teachers have every minute of the school day accounted for.  Your drink will be VERY appreciated, but the teacher may not have time to chit chat during the day, especially at drop-off time or dismissal time.  Not saying that in a rude way, just being honest.  

• When the teacher does something you appreciate, send a "thank you" email and copy the principal and assistant principals on the email.  The administration can sometimes be slightly detached from the daily ins and outs of each classroom, so it is always nice when they hear that one of their teachers is doing a particularly great job.  

• Once every month or two, ask the teacher if there are any classroom needs....more bandaids, glue sticks, lysol wipes, etc.  It is always nice to not have to spend your very small, hard-earned paycheck on school supplies.  Let's be honest, all teachers spend their very small, hard-earned money on school supplies, but if you offer to help out occasionally, it is always appreciated! 

• Offer to cut out lamination.  Throughout the year, your child's teacher is laminating miles of stuff...from sight word cards to behavior logs to phonics games, etc.  And all of that lamination has to be meticulously cut out.  Send a quick note and offer to help! This is an easy way you can help from home at night or over a weekend! 

• Give the teacher the benefit of the doubt.  You will not always agree with the teacher.  Even the very best teachers make mistakes.  I'm sure that parents questioned some of the things I did, but there was always some very logical reason behind the decision.  I did my very best to put the needs of the students first and I'm sure your child's teacher is doing the same.  (ex. On the first day of school, I asked parents to say their goodbyes at the classroom door.  As a parent, this would be incredibly hard for me.  But as a teacher, I still agree that it was the best way to do it.  Teaching 25 little treasures how to complete their morning routines is hard work that needs to start on the first day.  But it is impossible work with 25 little ones and 25-50 parents in the room.  Will I want to walk Beau in on his first day of kindergarten? Of course!!! But I will absolutely do my very best to honor the teacher and the requests she makes of the parents, knowing that she probably has a good reason for any guideline that is in place.)  Assume the best about your child's teacher.  But of course do not be afraid to politely speak up if you have concerns! You know your child best and sometimes rules are made to be broken if something just isn't feeling right.  

• Show up on time.  If you have signed up to chaperone a field trip, host a holiday party, have a conference, etc, please show up on time.  Show the teacher that you value his or her time as much as you value your own.  If you know you are going to be late for a scheduled event, just send the teacher a quick email so that he or she can plan accordingly.

Let me just say, I was immeasurably blessed to always have lovely parents who went above and beyond to make sure I felt loved and appreciated!  

Like I said before, I'm sure all of you already do so much to make your child's teacher feel loved, but these are just a few extra ideas!  Happy school year!  Make it a great one!