Teacher Appreciation Day – May 9, 2017
Wonderful! It’s that time of year to celebrate the teachers of our littlest ones. National Teacher Day is a part of the National Teachers Appreciation Week, the first full week of May.
Preschool teachers work hard all year long with our children and a small token of appreciation would be nice. Many preschool teachers don’t even realize that this National Teacher Day/Week exists because often times they are not considered teachers by most. However, preschool teachers have possession of our children more awake hours than their parents. So many times, they get to experience the milestones that parents miss because they work outside of the home. Preschool teachers are the parent partners in assisting parents in the 0-5 formative years. They are the chief nose cleaners, diaper deputy, and potty trainer assistant. Listen carefully while engaging in conversation with the teacher to discover their hobbies or personal likes/dislikes.
Below is a list of suggestions for gift ideas I have used in the past with my little one’s teachers:
- Book lover- Gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target or Walmart
- Craft lover – Gift card to Hobby Lobby, Joann’s or Michaels
- Movie Lover – Gift card, movie tickets with concessions
- Coffee Lover – Gift card to Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, or Dunkin Donuts
- Pamper Me – Spa Gift card or restaurant gift card in their local area
Parents can also coordinate a special event for Preschool teachers with the Director/Owners such as catered lunch with a nice dessert.
Personalized Gift baskets fill with their favorite bath products, such as Bath and Body works. If your child’s teacher is a male you’re in luck because Bath & Body works now have a great men’s line.
Preschool teachers are an invaluable resource to working parents. Please take a moment to say “Thank you” during National Teacher Appreciation Week(May 8-12, 2017)
Great ideas. I think that an profession involving kids those workers should be appreciated. It takes a special person to work with kids. I am a counselor and i must say this jobcna be very draining and not the best pay but I enjoy what I do.
Thanks, Diondra, It takes a love, patience, and prayer to be a preschool teacher. It is a very rewarding job to be able to love, nurture and keep safe in a preschool environment.
Preschool teachers should get so many great gifts, and I don’t feel like they are appreciated like they should be. We loved our preschool experience for the most part, and I know that little things to encourage like this, help make the teachers realize it too.
Thank you, Natasha, for recognizing the value of a preschool teacher.
Yes to preschool teacher appreciation week! I think people don’t realize how much extra time teachers put into prepping for preschool.
Marcie, the preschool is often overlooked as a teacher and I pray this post will make all aware of their value.
Great suggestions! It’s so important to say thanks and let teachers know that you’ve recognised all the effort that they put in throughout the year, it’s a tough job and a little kindness can go a long way xx
Sophia xx http://sophiawhitham.co.uk
Sophia, I pray this blog will bring more awareness to the hard work and dedication of our preschool teachers.
Being a teacher is no easy job ! You’re shaping the future of someone else’s kid. That’s a huge responsibility ! – these are great ideas !
Thanks, Subah, teachers have a huge responsibility. Please remember to say thank you today to a teacher. Please share this post so others can too
My kids are past preschool age now but I believe it takes a special person to be a preschool teacher. I would definitely give gifts. We still do and my kids are much older.
Kita, thank you for your appreciation of the preschool teachers and other teachers too.
Thank you for your post. Thank you for recognizing preschool teachers. No matter what it says on the document of a teacher who studied to be in the field of teaching a child is a teacher. I studied two years to be an early childhood educator and I know I went beyond what was expected in my role. Everything to said is so true. We are physically exhausted from the physical work it requires to work with young children unlike certified elementary teachers. We are rarely viewed qualified when teaching in a regular school as classroom helpers rather than a true teacher that contributes and engages children in fun learning. Because ECE promotes learning through fun, creative actives and not merely curriculum based learning, we are frowned upon. So thank you for recognizing our field. Though not everyone in my field is exceptional, it is still just as important to celebrate all that help contribute to educating children.
Maria, thank you for sharing your views. I wrote the post regarding Preschool Teachers because they are so not recognized by their hard work. I agree there are some persons that should not be in the early childhood profession, but so many others are serving their calling in this field.
I really appreciate my child’s preschool teachers! They are truly amazing. I love your ideas for gifts.
Thank you for making your child’s preschool feel special.
Thank you! Although I don’t have a kid in pre-school, I can use these gift ideas for the end of year gifts for my daughter’s kindergarten teacher and aftercare worker(s).
Thanks Kim, The gift ideas can be used for any and all teachers during Teachers Appreciation Day & Week.
I used to teach preschool and I miss Teacher Appreciation Week. The kids would bring in homemade cards and it was adorable! Great post!
Stacey, I am sure you made a lot of little friends who will never forget you. I agree their homemade gifts were the sweetest.
As an ECD major, I think it’s wonderful that you posted promoting Teacher Appreciation week. Teachers work so very hard! Any token of appreciation is always special, but your ideas were great. Hopefully parents will elicit their children’s help when preparing a gift for the teacher. It teaches children the importance of showing appreciation for others.
Thank you, Renae, the homemade gifts from the kids are alway the best and it is also a teachable moment for the children too.
This is great! I definitely think teachers need a lot more recognition!
Jenna, as a former Child Development Center Director and Family Child Care Business Owner, I always made sure to recognize my staff for their hard work with the children. It is so important that teachers know we care as parents too.
Great ideas! I think teachers, especially preschool and kindergarten teachers are so underappreciated, and deserve more recognition.
Thank you, Patricia and I agree with you on kindergarten teachers. In addition, a lot of public schools now have a full-time prek-4-year-old program with certified teachers.
Teachers should be appreciated. I had no idea that there was a national teacher appreciation week. I just learned something. These are great gift suggestions.
Thank you Geneva, yes it is always the first full week in May. Although I noticed a lot of people are celebrating this holiday this week, when it is actually next week.
Preschool teachers are such an integral part of a child’s educational foundation. I always made sure to give gifts of appreciation. Thank you for this reminder.
Thank you, Arnitris
Kudos to all the teachers out there! That is one tough job so I applaud those special souls who teach.
Jonna, Thanks for applauding our teachers beginning this week.