Le'ts Celebrate Our Teachers

As the end of the school year draws near, you may want to find a way to thank your children’s teachers. Thank you gifts often involve some kind of food, usually with a focus on sweet or salty treats. While these gifts are well-meaning, the foods selected can be quite unhealthy. Is giving someone something they know isn’t good for them the best way to show your appreciation?

There are countless other ways to let teachers know we appreciate them that do not involve unhealthy food. Here are some ideas to consider:

• A planter with flower or herb seeds to freshen up their classroom.
• Reusable water bottles, reusable grocery bags, or reusable coffee mugs. You or your children can decorate these gifts to give them a personal touch.
• A craft or piece of artwork your child made.
• A basket of classroom supplies: dry erase markers, paper, hand sanitizer, sticky notes, folders, and storage containers. Teachers often pay for these items out of their own pockets. Gifting them supplies means more to them than you’d think. A gift card to an office supply store would also be appreciated.

Appreciation can be shown in other ways, too. An act of kindness can put a smile on teachers’ faces. For example, coordinate with other parents to have the whole class wear the teacher’s favorite color one day, or make a video of the class thanking them for everything they do.

Finally, a simple note can go a long way. With most communication happening through screens these days, a handwritten note from you or your child simply saying thank you can mean a lot to a teacher. Whatever option you choose, just know your child’s teacher will know that you appreciate all the hard work they do!