While we have all had our lives turned upside down, there’s a calming force that lives among us. Our teachers. They email, call, set up Zoom meetings, send work, fun activities, whatever it may be. Some have done drive-by visits just to see their students smiling faces.
They still have their own families at home; yet, our kids remain a priority in their lives.
Since August 2019, they have learned the personalities, likes and dislikes of their students. They have spent more hours a day with our children than their own.
I don’t know about you, but the only complaints I’ve seen on social media from my teacher friends are that they miss our kids and didn’t get to say goodbye. Can you imagine how sweet the reunion will be in August?
With last week’s announcement that public (and possibly private) schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year, I can’t imagine the emotions and feelings the teachers are experiencing about the missed weeks ahead.
Will we ever be able to thank them enough?
Our teachers deserve to be celebrated and thanked for being a constant beam of positive light during this unprecedented time.
This past week, I ordered cookies and brownies from a local bakery and had them delivered via waiter to my son’s teacher. Honestly, I considered wine, but that can be a bit more personal (as in, red or white? Beer or wine?) so I went with chocolate. No one gets disappointed about chocolate.
Here are other ideas you can do to thank a teacher or educator, in no particular order:
- Mail. Yes, traditional snail mail. You can have your kids write or draw thank you cards. Have your child include their favorite memories from the school year.
- Gift certificates from a local coffee shop or restaurant, or for some of us desperate folks, a gift certificate for a manicure. Most local businesses have set up a way for these to be emailed. You’ll be supporting your favorite local business, too!
- Be respectful of their time. Try emailing them questions or concerns during “business hours” so they have a chance to turn off work and be with their families, too.
- When life goes back to “normal,” support them. Send the snacks. Volunteer to help with a field trip or class activity. Be available when they need you.
- Advocate on their behalf. Make sure our teachers receive the resources they need to be successful.
A few of our favorite local businesses to support
- Social Southern Table & Bar
- Bouki’s Baker
- Kismet Cosmetics
- Joie de Vivre Salon & Spa
- Cousins Smokehouse
- Leisuremann’s Cocktail Mixes
- Laalee Designs
- Mimosa Handcrafted
- Shop Dreve (monogrammed goodies)
- Reve Coffee Lab
- Lolli’s Chocolates
- Jet Coffee
- Good Eats Kitchen
If you think your teacher likes mixology, the El Guapo Bitters boxes {locally owned by a New Orleans mom; use code “LouisianaMom” for 20% off} are way fun, too! And yes, they can ship!
