PHILADELPHIA PA - Being an educator is a difficult duty in and of itself. Throw the past year and a half on top of it and it truly becomes work for superheroes. And that is what our teachers have become to us… superheroes.
May 4th is National Teacher Day… a day to honor and show appreciation to those who foster our children’s education every day. That is why Jennifer Cervantes, former teacher and CEO of Tough as a Mother Tribe, highlights the importance of honoring teachers this year. To ensure they are provided the support, love, and appreciation they truly deserve.
Teacher-Approved Ways To Honor Your Favorite Educators
Here are Jennifer’s top 4 ways that you can honor teachers this year, that they will truly value:
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 to teach all the students in the class. Their work as a teacher can be a pretty serious 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 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.
