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Virginia Williams, Possip reporter with a background in Elementary Education & Special Education, shares words you can gather and share with teachers to help them feel appreciated.
If you find yourself feeling stumped when brainstorming for Teacher Appreciation, you’re not alone. Fear not – this blog post will help you! Below you’ll find creative tips and ideas to make every day throughout the school year special for the educators in your life.
‘Thank You’ Messages for Teachers
There are so many things you can say to make a teacher feel appreciated. A few words can truly make a big difference.
Check out this article for meaningful quotes that you can share with an educator. Try to be specific and choose a message that suits your particular teacher…ask yourself ”what qualities, abilities or character traits stand out?”
If you prefer to keep things lighthearted or silly, here is a list of funny messages that also might make your teacher’s day. More than anything, remember that “a few words of gratitude lift up and encourage, but not if we never send them. Follow through on your good intentions”.
In this article, Vidday has even written an email template for you so that the follow through is as easy as possible. Check it out!
‘Thank You’ Gestures for Teachers
If ‘a picture’s worth a thousand words’, then a gesture is worth about ten thousand words! So, if you find that your words are falling short when it comes to expressing appreciation for your teachers, you can SHOW them how much you appreciate them instead.
Administrators, your staff will surely love it if you provide breakfast in the Teacher’s Lounge or give teachers a “Jeans Pass” so they can dress casually one day. Another idea is to offer to cover each teacher’s class for twenty minutes during the day, so they can take a break or get ahead on some grading or lesson planning. Perhaps your staff is known for their coffee addiction – a special treat that would mean so much to them is a traveling coffee bar. Visit your teachers throughout the day with coffee and all the ‘fixins’ to provide them a little “pick-me-up” when they need it most. If coffee isn’t their thing, make it an ice cream sundae bar or a smoothie bar! The options are endless – get creative and have a good time celebrating your staff!
Families, you can also join in on the fun! Work together to throw a breakfast or a luncheon for staff. You can also provide your child’s teachers with a printed photo of them with your child.
Teacher Appreciation Words from Students
Lastly, we know that nothing means more to a teacher than hearing directly from their students.
Parents, you can encourage your children to express gratitude to their teachers in a variety of ways, but a simple handwritten note is hard to beat. For younger students, you can provide prompts or sentence starters, such as:
- “Describe your teacher in 3 words”
- “If your teacher was an animal, what animal would he/she be? Why?”
- “What is your favorite memory from Ms. ___’s class this year?”
- “What’s something that Mr. ___ has helped you with this year?”
Administrators, to extend the appreciation and gratitude a bit further, it would be so meaningful to display these messages of appreciation in a centralized location at your school, such as a bulletin board near the front entrance. It feels good to be celebrated, especially in front of your peers. Another option is to share these shout-outs via email or at staff meetings.
Quotes
Pulse Checks from Possip are a great way to collect words of teacher appreciation throughout the year. Here are some of our favorite quotes from students, families, and staff our Reporting Team has highlighted:
“My english teacher is the absolute best teacher! she leaves great feedback very kind and understanding, she also gives us more than enough time to do assignments they make me feel less stressed about getting my work done and make my assignments more enjoyable to do. i actually look forward to the future assignments i have. thank you!” – High School Student
“Ms. S has been wonderful in our daughter’s Dyslexia journey. She has shared with us all of her progress, and keeps us in the loop constantly!” – Elementary Parent
“Mo hijo paso por una etapa muy difícil y agradezco mucho su comprensión por parte de administración y maestros sobre todo la señorita J muchas gracias” TRANSLATION: “My son went through a very difficult stage and I am very grateful for the understanding of the administration and teachers, especially Miss J, thank you very much.” – High School Parent
“I would like to shout out Ms. S and Ms. C for being incredible coaches and always willing to lend a helping hand. I also want to give a shout out to admin (Mr. W and Mr. W) for supporting both the staff and the students, and to Mrs. M for always willing to give advice.” – School Staff Member
Conclusion
Remember, you don’t have to wait until Teacher Appreciation Day to do all of these great things! Our appreciation is constant throughout the year so let’s make sure our wonderful teachers know that! Administrators, don’t forget to add “Teacher Appreciation Prep” to your next meeting agenda. You can also share with parents ways that they can get connected to the PTO and participate in the planning and collaboration for Teacher Appreciation Day.
Speed Read (tldr) of The Best Words for Teacher Appreciation - What to Say
- Teacher Appreciation Words Can Be Expressed Anytime: You don’t have to wait for Teacher Appreciation Day in May to show your gratitude. Finding the right teacher appreciation words and sharing them throughout the year can make a significant impact on educators.
- Creative Gestures Speak Volumes: Sometimes, actions speak louder than teacher appreciation words. Consider thoughtful gestures like providing a coffee bar or hosting a staff breakfast to show appreciation in ways that resonate deeply with teachers.
- Student-Centric Teacher Appreciation Words: Encourage students to use heartfelt teacher appreciation words through handwritten notes or creative prompts. Displaying these messages can further enhance the sense of recognition and value teachers receive.
Read below for resources, tips, and the why!
