A Letter of Gratitude to Our Teachers

Dear Teachers,

Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off on Monday, and while I recognize we should be thanking you all year long, sometimes it takes a little nudge to remind us to slow down, push pause, and reflect on the amazing people in our lives.

As a parent, it’s easy to get caught up in the over-scheduled, daily tasks of our family life. I expect sometimes it’s a welcome distraction from the reality of what’s happening around us. And yet it likely causes us to miss the moments of “little wins” and opportunities to say thank you.

I know I speak for many parents when I say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment to our children and the other families in our community.

Thank you for finding ways to challenge our kids in a way that peaks their curiosity.

Thank you for knowing how to push our kids out of their comfort zone, and give them the confidence to try something new.

Thank you for finding a way to make learning fun, so fun that sometimes our kids don’t actually believe they are learning at all.

Thank you for making our most shy and quiet kids feel seen and heard.

Thank you for including us in their learning journey with your insights and recommendations.

Thank you for showing up every day and greeting our children with a smile on your face.

We recognize how difficult the last few years have been and we are incredibly grateful for your undeniable passion and desire to inspire a love of learning in our children.

With Gratitude,

Jennifer

3 Ways to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

This time of year is full of gift giving with Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day and end of school year celebrations. It can be overwhelming (and expensive!), so here’s a few heartfelt ways to show your appreciation.

1. Personal Note - share a message of gratitude with your child’s favorite teacher, school leader or coach. Have your child write a note, draw a picture or make a video. A heartfelt thank you goes a long way and even the simplest messages can make someone’s day.

• 25 Best Examples For A Thank You Note To Teacher

2. Group Gifts - many schools will solicit donations for one group gift from families. This gives each parent an opportunity to contribute what’s reasonable for them.

• 10 Best Teacher Appreciation Group Gift Ideas

3. Best Teacher Gifts - still itching for a more traditional ‘best teacher' gift idea? Checkout this extensive list from PTO Today!

• Teacher Appreciation Week 2022 Resources

Join the Discussion

Our sincerest appreciation goes out to all the educators in our lives as we wrap up the final weeks of our school year.

Have a creative teacher gift idea? We’d love to hear from you!

About the Author

Jennifer Larson is an entrepreneur, charter school founder and mother to four children. Connect with her @startupjen.