Honor a Teacher This Year
Written by Mac Morey on May 4, 2021
Today is national teacher day! Teachers do so much for our kids and without them who knows where we would be as a society.
The generosity and overall effort that teachers give every day for kids that aren’t even their own, just so they can put their best foot forward in life, is remarkable. If you add the past year and a half on top of all of that then we are talking about superhero stuff.
Jennifer Cervantes, a former teacher and CEO of Tough as a Mother wrote down four tips to honor the wonderful work that teachers do for all of us and our families.
Tip #1: Do not underestimate the power of a thank you note!
Teachers have been under an extreme amount of stress to ensure our children are taken care of. Receiving a handmade gift, like a card, note or virtual message is the perfect way to show the teacher in your life just how much you love and appreciate them. Detail a favorite memory, how they have impacted you personally, and what you cherish most about them. Maybe get the whole class involved! Trust me, they are far more meaningful and impactful than most people realize.
Tip #2: Offer assistance where needed
Teachers who are mamas have had to sacrifice so much time teaching their own children in order to teach all the students in the class. Their work as a teacher can be quite a heavy and overwhelming undertaking. Offer to help out with small tasks or assist in cleaning the classroom up after school (if not virtual)… Anything that can help lessen their load.
Tip #3: Help your teacher relax and unwind
Teachers with young babies, like myself, have gone through immense stress. I personally lost all my breastmilk and had to find a way to teach with a 5-month-old and 2-year-old when we first went remote. Try throwing together a relaxation kit to help them unwind and destress after a long week. You can include items such as essential oils and/or diffusers, scented candles, at-home spa items (face masks, scrubs, etc.), a selection of tea, and some baked goods or sweet treats.
Tip #4: Gift Something Meaningful
Teachers are immensely underpaid and play so many roles in a day, besides just a teacher. They truly deserve a meaningful gift this year, as it has been truly challenging for teachers. Anything that you put some personalized attention or effort into can go a long way to show your favorite teachers how much you care and value them.
With a little bit of the school year left, maybe you or your child can try extending one of these acts of kindness to a teacher in your life.
