How to Make a Teacher's Day

Teaching can be a very difficult profession, and most parents are keenly aware of this fact. Beyond the traditional holiday and end-of-year gifts, what can you do to really make a teacher's day enjoyable? This is a legitimate question. Teachers do love to receive apple-themed presents, but in reality, during most school days, they need more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Ask the teacher questions regarding classroom needs. You may receive a long list of answers since many classrooms, especially at the elementary school level, are woefully under-funded. Decide if you can provide the requested items by appealing to local business leaders, soliciting donations from co workers, or buying items yourself.
2. Write correspondence to thank the teacher for all the hard work he or she does—and send a copy of your note to the school principal. Teachers appreciate the fact that they have made a difference. More importantly, it is nice that the principal knows that they have positively impacted a student's life.
3. Volunteer in your child's classroom. Teachers are very grateful when parents offer to bring food, make copies, read stories aloud, become "class parents" or even drive or chaperone during school field trips.
4. Encourage your child to write a thank you letter to a teacher. Although students may idolize their teachers, they may never show it, particularly at the middle and high school levels. It really makes a teacher's day when he or she corresponds with former students.
5. Suggest that your child visit a former teacher. High school teachers especially love it when a favorite student, now in college, returns to pay a visit. Teachers care about past students and love to stay in touch.
6. Work with the school PTA or other community group to host a teacher appreciation luncheon at the end of each semester. Teachers enjoy free food, and the PTA is a wonderful forum in which to brainstorm various teacher appreciation ideas.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful about giving gifts to teachers. Some school systems do not allow gifts over a certain monetary amount. You do not want your gift, no matter how well intended, to come across as a bribe for better grades.