There’s no way I could possibly express how much we love P’s teachers. Do teachers ever truly know how much we appreciate how much they do and care, not just as educators, but as role models, counselors, caretakers and more? We know they don’t only “teach” and we love them for it!
I wish I could give each of P’s teacher a great big ole gift to show how much we appreciate all the work they do, all the long hours they put in, and their never ending patience. Unfortunately, it’s not in our budget.
One amazing parent at P’s school is organizing a luncheon for the teachers to show our appreciation. When she asked for other ideas I suggested we give students, parents and other family members a way to express their appreciation; one that allowed everyone to show their teachers exactly how and why they are appreciated. I came up with this idea that went out in the weekly newsletter last week:
Dear Families,
To compliment the fantastic teacher luncheon S is organizing, we’d also like to invite students, parents and grandparents to write a little something telling our Aldo teachers why we appreciate them, how much we love them and how they’ve changed lives!
- Below you’ll find ideas to get students started, but don’t feel limited to the provided writing prompts. Students and families can write or draw their own thoughts, stories, poems, etc. Please feel free to express yourselves in your own style. It isn’t important if it is printer paper, scrap paper, or construction paper, just get creative.
- Please don’t forget the special teachers! (art, music, phys. ed, etc.)
- Parents and grandparents we’d love to hear from you, as well!
- Please have students bring their works of appreciation to school during teacher Appreciation Week, May 5-9, 2014.
- We’ll be displaying all of the appreciation outside classrooms. Tape will be available outside each classroom door for students to tape up their piece of appreciation on or near their teacher’s door.
- There will also be Appreciation Stations* set up on each floor in case time gets away from you. Students can still make something on their own at school.
Let’s make this an amazing show of appreciation so anyone walking through the halls of the school will see how much our teachers mean to us!
Thank you!
Terra
Ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- In what ways do your teachers help you?
- Thank your teacher for something they did for you
- My teacher is….
- What qualities make your teacher great?
- What is your teacher like? What do you like most about him or her?
- Write an acrostic poem
- Make a collage
Over the weekend I started working on notes to send to Paolo’s teacher and came up with the ones pictured above. Really, I could write a novel about why I appreciate those teachers so much, but I reined myself in! P is still carefully planning his out. I think he’s managed to pick out pieces of paper so far.
I don’t know if what I envisioned (hallways bursting with self-expression and appreciation) will happen. I do know there will be at least (our own) eight thank you cards posted in the halls of P’s school.
Thank you to all teachers, from preschool to university. You make an indelible mark on so many young lives. Whether it’s tough love or quiet encouragement, you make the difference. Thank you.
*The Appreciation Station idea wasn’t mine. I wish I could take credit for it, but P’s Principal came up with it. Love it!
Teachers need special personalities to love their job. I’m glad that parents are being supportive and grateful for how much effort the teachers give each day for their children.