The first full week in May, this week, has been set aside by the National PTA as teacher appreciation week. It’s a great time to evaluate how much you know about your child’s school. See how well you answer the following questions:
- When was the last time you walked inside your child’s school?
- Have you spoken to your child’s teacher lately?
- Do you know the principal’s name?
- Do you know your child’s school schedule?
- Have you said thank you to your child’s teacher?
If you were unsure about any of the above then now’s a great time to get involved. Educating children is a big job and is often unappreciated. Take time this week to say thank you and recognize the many hours that your child’s teacher puts in for relatively low pay. Teachers in Idaho, where I live, start out at less than $25,000 a year.
Usually during teacher appreciation week the PTA does things each day for the teachers at the school. Things such as provide lunch, decorate doors, posters, daily treats, flowers, balloons, and anything that says thank you. But they can’t do it alone contact your local PTA if you want to help.
I went today and helped my daughter’s class make a thank you for her teacher. Each child decorated a piece of paper then I taped them around a bag of popcorn, which I then gave to the teacher and classroom aide.
You can also do something on your own to say thank you. Here are some ideas of things you can do for your child’s teacher at relatively little cost divided into general categories. Get your child involved and let them help choose or make something themselves.
Food items:
- Bag of microwave popcorn
- Homemade or store-bought treat
- Fresh fruit
- Chocolate anything
Things for the classroom:
- Puzzle
- Book
- Art supplies
- Treats or toys for reward system
General thank you
- Card
- Handwritten note
- Pencils or pens
- Stationary
- Post-it notes
- Candle
- Home-made gift
The more involved a parent is in their child’s education the more likely their child will succeed in school. Saying thank you is just another way to let your child and their teacher know that you feel education is important.