Disclosure: This post is sponsored. That said, as Teacher Appreciation Week approaches we love this practical way to give back to a teacher that has made an impact on your child and/or family.
The Single Best Gift To Give a Teacher
May is Teacher Appreciation Month. This is the #1 way to show support to the educators who give so much to your child.
Dear Baton Rouge Moms,
From pre-k to high school, Baton Rouge educators are everyday heroes for our kids and community. A teacher’s work goes beyond the whiteboard to caring for a child’s unique social-emotional needs today while helping them dream about their future. The average teacher will instruct more than 3,000 students throughout their career, meaning their efforts profoundly impact the trajectory of a community.¹
The research shows how meaningful that impact becomes as a student grows up. About one out of every two students say they’ve had a teacher who helped them through a difficult time, and 88% of people say their teachers played a significant positive role in their lives.²
Sadly, teachers are under significant pressure from many angles and approximately half of all educators are considering leaving the field.³ As mothers and community members, we may not be able to control many of those pressures, but there is one way to make a difference today.
The Power of a Simple Note
In my role at Teach225, I have the unique opportunity to talk with teachers and schools across the city. Lately I’ve been asking them what teachers really want for Teacher Appreciation Month. There’s a few common themes (delicious hot meals, grace from parents), but one rose to the top: sharing a heartfelt, personalized note.
Never underestimate the power of kind words. An elementary school teacher we interviewed said,
“Sometimes you think, ‘Is what I’m doing having any effect? Does what I do matter?’ And when [parents and students] tell you what you did and how it impacted them, that really helps you change your worldview and orient yourself in what you’re doing.”
Sharing a specific example about how you’ve seen your child grow since they entered a teacher’s classroom can become a lifeline for discouraged educators. It also lets teachers know that you’re on their team. One teacher revealed,
“If teachers and parents get to know each other better, there’s a natural support developed for one another instead of these walls.”
Communicating gratitude for their hours of investment opens up trust and conversations that lead to better outcomes for everyone.
Share Your Toast for a Teacher
And at Teach225, we wanted to find a way to call out those good deeds in public. Teach225 created a Toasts for Teachers digital community message board to harness the power of community. You can join other families across the city in writing a note to the amazing teachers who are helping you shape your children into tomorrow’s leaders. Kids can even get in on the gratitude by uploading special photos or drawings on the board right now!
We all have busy schedules and challenges that need our attention. However, your small act of kindness can be the difference between a valuable educator choosing to return for another year or leaving the field to use their gifts elsewhere. I hope we see some Red Stick Moms visiting https://appreciation.teach225.com/ and joining the movement today!
Sincerely,
Jasmine Simmons
Teach225 Talent Manager
¹Zippia ²ING Foundation ³National Education Association
Teach225 is a community resource devoted exclusively to educators seeking empowering career resources. We help career transitioners and current teachers find support and certification programs to reach their goals, regardless of where they are in their journey.
About the author
Jasmine is a proud New Orleanian happy to be back in Louisiana. Prior to joining New Schools for Baton Rouge, Jasmine taught elementary and middle school in Orlando, Florida. Jasmine’s experience includes working in professional development for educators and families with a focus on Universal Design for Learning, Assistive Technology, and Dyslexia. When Jasmine isn’t working she enjoys shopping, spending time with her Chow Chow, Saint, and traveling.
