Gift of Gratitude: 10 Ways to Show Teachers Your Appreciation - By: Dr Robyn Silverman

Many schools are celebrating teachers, coaches, instructors, and mentors this month with their annual Teacher Appreciation Week. Whether you're a student, parent, grandparent, or community member, you likely come into contact with some wonderful teachers who you would like to thank. How can we give the gift of gratitude to these great role models in our children's lives?

Everyone likes to be told that they're doing a great job. Our teachers are some of our most valuable resources whether they teach your children during the school day or in the after school hours.

Here are some ideas to get the most powerful parents started:

(1) Send out a press release: Press releases are simple and free. Write up a letter from the class or school and send it to the press for all the community to see. Send a picture of the teacher or of the teacher with his or her students with the press release.

(2) Prepare a meal: Take turns with some other parents bringing in breakfast or lunch for the teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

(3) Send a note of gratitude: Think about your favorite attributes of this special teacher and write your thoughts down for her to enjoy. Teachers appreciate your words of support. Site specific ways that they have helped your children or family. You might think that "everyone" will send a note of appreciation—but many won't. Be the person who provides a heartfelt thanks to a favorite teacher. On a strict budget? Send a free e-card or have your child color a construction-paper card from scratch!

(4) Give a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant: Sometime during the month ask your teacher's friend about which restaurant is a top-pick or ask the teacher where s/he might suggest you take your spouse to lunch or dinner over the weekend. Then get the gift certificate and surprise the teacher!

(5) Present them with a gift certificate for a spa service: Many teachers don't take the time to pamper themselves. Give them the gift of relaxation as a real treat!

(6) Personalize t-shirts or coffee mugs: Take a picture of the class or have the children make a special collage and get it transferred onto a shirt or mug for posterity!

(7) Picture it: Take a picture of the class and put it into a special picture frame for the teacher to hang up in the classroom or keep in her home office. You can even personalize the picture frame with the teacher's name, the grade, and the year with a little engraved brass tag or ask an artistic friend to paint it right onto frame.

(8) Before of after-class surprise: Bring in home-made cookies, a personalized cake, or a few pizzas so that your favorite teachers can enjoy a well-deserved treat.

(9) Walk of fame: Borrow or purchase a red carpet, roll of felt, or paint butcher paper red and tape it down in the center hallway. Make gold stars with each teacher's name on one. Have the school greet the teachers as they enter the school, take pictures (be their paparazzi!) and celebrate!

(10) Have a give-back day: The best way to show gratitude is to give back! Help clean the school, paint, and wash the windows! Raise money for the teachers' favorite charity. Plant a tree or some flowers! Donate some books to the library in their honor! Refill their supply closet! There are many things you can do to give back to the people who've helped your family all year long!

Anyway you do it, the important thing is that you show and tell the teachers and coaches in your child's life that they're making a positive difference in the lives of others. So many of these amazing role models are under-appreciated and under-praised. Today is a great day to tell them how much they mean to us.

About the Author

Child development expert, Dr. Robyn Silverman, is the creator of Powerful Words Character Development, a character education program for children. Her tips and views have been posted in Prevention and Parents Magazines, and the Washington Post. She has also been a featured guest on the nationally broadcast radio show with Dr. Drew Pinsky. For more information or to contact Dr. Robyn, visit her blog at http://www.DrRobynsBlog.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dr-Robyn-Silverman/28910

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