Teacher Appreciation

It’s almost time for Teacher Appreciation week. At the Craft Gallery we try to steer parents to gifts we think teachers would love. We always have vendors who have teacher related items as well as other popular items that we all would like. As a parent and a teacher I’ve experienced the giving and receiving of gifts during this time. Those items that made the biggest impact were the sweet handwritten thank you notes or gifts from my students. While my kids were in elememtary and I was not teaching I made a concious effort to think of something I could do to make their teacher’s lives easier. At Christmas I would make their teacher’s favorite pie since I felt they most likely wouldn’t have time to make desserts for their Christmas dinner. I made it from scratch (including the crust) and would put it in a Pyrex dish to make it look nicer. I told them to keep the pie plate so they didn’t have to worry about returning it. So what do teachers want from their students and parents? A poll was done and 50% of the teachers just said a thoughful handwritten note from their students and parents meant so much. Of those items listed as gifts: 70% said gift cards and the most popular gift cards were Amazon or Mani/Pedi gift cards. Other items listed were personalized or cute tote bags, notebooks, flash drives, gift cards to favorite restaurant or store or homemade products made by students. If schools allow, volunteering your time in the classroom while the teacher take a little longer lunch break is another way to show your child’s teacher you appreciate the work they have done this year. There was one side note of items the teachers said they got to much of: mugs, ornaments, classroom decor, lotions and soaps were among those listed. Hope this helps as you decide how to appreciate your children’s teachers. Teachers have a way to your heart. My favorite teacher was one who gave me two licks in one day (most likely within 30 minutes of each other) for me doing the same thing (talking). She stays in my heart even now and to my surprise she came into the Craft Gallery this year. Such memories.