25 Ideas on How To Encourage Your Child’s Teacher

I think it goes without saying, the last two years during this pandemic and the implications of it, have been trying for all of us. Everyone has sacrificed something. Many have lost loved ones, some have lost trips, weddings, graduations, other special events, etc. Careers look different. Many jobs have gone remote. From my personal perspective, however, it seems that professions like healthcare and education may have been hit the hardest. No doubt our healthcare workers need to be praised, encouraged, and helped during this time. But so do teachers! What teachers have had to do over the last two years is just crazy.

Teachers are done, and do you blame them?

Recently, I read 2 articles that were extremely sobering. One was from NPR entitled, “More than half of teachers are looking for the exit, poll says.” Still another article from WSJ explained, “Teachers are quitting, and companies are hot to hire them.” The Wall Street Journal goes on to explain that businesses are eager to fill jobs and are offering former educators better pay and more autonomy.

These reports are not good. As a teacher, I really worry for the future of education in this country. Things in education in our country as a whole are not going well.

So, many teachers are asking, “What is the point of sticking with it?” Nearly all teachers I know, including myself, do something on the side and in the summer to make ends meet — all on top of working 50-60 hours a week — well over the time they are paid for. Teachers who are single can barely survive on their own.

Teachers are done. And do you blame them?

The teacher shortage is growing rapidly, and with it, burning out more and more teachers faster than ever. Without teachers, there are few if any professions left. What would happen to society without good teachers? Society needs good teachers, and we need them to stay!

So the question remains, what can society do as a whole to help teachers stay in their jobs for the good of our future generations? Well, this post is not about salary increases for teachers or other macro ideas to fix a broken system. It is simply a guide for parents and others on how to encourage the teachers in your lives. So, let’s skip to the GOOD PART! 🙂

How to Encourage the Teachers in Your Life

Many of the ideas I am listing below have been done for me by the amazing families I work for. I work at a private school, so I make far less than the local public school teachers, but the parents I work with are incredibly kind and generous in supporting me. I know this is not the case in many districts, and I am really blessed.

Before doing any of the ideas mentioned below, I would recommend getting to know the teacher first. All teachers are different. They are in various stages of life, have different interests, and have varying needs. Some have allergies or health issues that prevent some gifts from being helpful. Ask your teacher to fill out THIS FORM in order to get to know them better. This will better help guide your gift-giving and teacher encouragements throughout the year.

Lastly, please note that any good teacher would NEVER expect any of this from you. However, it can serve as a real mood booster and add a pep in the teacher’s step to be valued, cared for, and appreciated! This goes a long way to helping teachers stay in the profession.

Birthday/Holiday/End of the Year Gift Ideas

Teachers do not get an end-of-the-year bonus or a Holiday check from their employer like most jobs provide. So instead of just giving a mug or a box of candy, consider going in with other parents in the class on a gift that is a little more practical and useful for the teacher.

1. Pull together a Visa Gift Card or Cash Gift- I am not going to lie, this has probably been the most useful type of gift I have received. When parents have gone in together and given whatever they are able to present me with one giftcard or cash gift, it has been such a blessing. Often times, this gift comes at just the right moment when I am tight on extra money.
2. Give the teacher a Giftcard Boquet- Make a signupgenius with all of the teachers favorite restaurants, stores, etc. Have each parent get a small giftcard to each place, or pool money toegether and get a variety of giftcards the teacher would use and enjoy.
3. Amazon Giftcard- Many teachers today make a classroom Amazon Wishlist. You could either pool funds together to purchase several useful items off of the wishlist for the classroom or give giftcard to Amazon for the teacher to get the items that they need the most.
4. Something useful the teacher would not get for themselves- Once you get to know the teacher, you will have a better idea on what this might look like. But sometimes it is nice to be able to splurge on something you wouldn’t usually be able to afford. This could look like a gift certificate for a massage, mani/pedi, car detailing, a subcription for a local car wash, a steak dinner, a subscription service like Hello Fresh, Home Chef, Teacher Style Box or others. Really any of these things would be so nice to have and a huge blessing.

“Just Because” Encouragement Gift Ideas

One of the coolest things my room parents did for me one year was put together a sign-up genius for parents to sign up for every other week of the school year to bless me. The parents could choose how they wanted to do this. It could be a note of encouragement, bringing me lunch, a little sweet treat, or a kind email. It was so special to receive acknowledgment and care so regularly. You could do a version of this kind of thing on your own or with others in the class. Here are some examples of little encouragements throughout the year.

1. Bring the teacher lunch- Guys! Getting a lunch delivered makes for the BEST days! Teachers do not get much of a break and they can’t go out to lunch. Tell your child’s teacher that you are bringing them lunch and ask them what they’d like. It really helps teachers get through their very short lunch that is usually not much of a break.
2. Surprise the teacher with a coffee or their favorite drink- Use the form to find out what the teacher’s favorite drink is and deliver it to them occaisionally. I had a student bring me Starbucks once a week for a year! It was amazing. Obviously, that is not feasible for most people, but an occaisional suprise is so nice. You could also send in a 6 pack of Dr. Pepper, or a box of k-cups, whatever it is your teacher likes!
3. Give the teacher their favorite snack- Teachers love free snacks! Blessing the teacher with a sweet or salty treat is a nice pick-me-up any day of the week!
4. Purchase an item off of their Amazon Wishlist- Gift the teacher an item off their classroom wishlist randomly! This will totally shock the teacher and encourage them.
5. Put together a Seasonal Gift Basket- I have had one parent give me a seasonal gift basket. It always includes a basket or storage container I can use in the class along with my favorite snacks, or a Target giftcard, candle, favorite energy drink, etc. It has blown my mind!
6. Provide supplies for special event days in the classroom- Schools have lots of special days… Christmas Party, Halloween, 100th Day, Valentine’s Day, etc. On these days, teachers like to make it special for the kids. However, teachers don’t have a lot of disposable income, so anything you can donate to help make those days special, is appreciated!
7. Self-Care gift basket- Give the teacher a basket with relaxing items such as a face mask, cozy socks, lotions, tea, wine, bath bomb, body scrub, etc. Teachers have to take time to unwind after being with a classroom full of children all week. 🙂
8. Surprise giftcard- Simply surprise the teacher with a giftcard to one of their favorite stores or restaurants.
9. A small “thinking of you” token of appreciation- This can be literally anything! A nail polish, hand sanitizer, candle, classroom decor, etc. This is just something small that makes the teacher feel thought of.
10. Put together a creative project that showcases the students and parent’ appreciation for the teacher- Pull together letters and pictures of the students and make a keepsake book for the teacher to remember the class by. This will be so special!

Encouragement Ideas that Don’t Require Money

1. Write the teacher a note of encouragement– A note of encouragement goes a longer way than any purchased gift. Teachers chose to do this job because they care about YOUR child. To be recognized for their sacrifice is so helpful
2. Have your child write the teacher a thank you note- Likewise, a note from your child or a handmaid card means the world to a teacher. They didn’t choose their job for the money. Your child is why they chose their job.
3. Send an encouraging email to the teacher- Some of the most encouraging moments as a teacher have been when a parent has taken the time to send me an email to let me know of the difference I have made in their child’s life. One parent told me their son was thinking about becoming a teacher because of the impact I had had on his life. That brought tears to my eyes. An encouraging email does wonders for weary teachers.
4. Take a picture of your child with their teacher and give it to them as a gift- This might cost a few cents, but not much! Take a picture of your child with their teacher and give it to them as is, frame it, or create a cute project with construction paper! Your teacher is guaranteed to love it.
5. Volunteer in the classroom- Maybe you do’t have any extra money whatsoever, and that’s totally okay, but maybe you have a spare hour. Check in with the teacher and see if they need any help… grading, cutting, cleaning the classroom, or reading to the class! Mayeb you could go on a field trip or volunteer during a class party. These are all some ways that the teacher may feel blessed and cared for.
6. Take time to get to know the teacher- Use the form to know about your teacher at the beginning of the year, check in on them, and recognize they are humans too!
7. Have your child make a handmaid gift- Have your child make a craft or gift with materials from home. There are many great options on Pinterest!
8. Ask the teacher how they are doing- Shoot the teacher an email and ask how they are doing. So simple.
9. Don’t expect the teacher to answer your email or calls outside of work hours- Teachers reguarly come in early and leave work well after their contract hours. Most teachers work 10-20 hours extra a week keeping up with grading, planning, prepping, emails, professional development, etc. Allow them time to get back to your email. Be patient with their schedules and allow them the space to be human – to take care of themselves and their families.
10. Give the teacher grace- Above all else, please treat teachers the way you would like to be treated. Give them grace. Recognize how difficult their job is. Check in on them. Support them.

Things to Stop Giving Teachers

1. Mugs. I think I speak for all teachers when I say, we don’t need any more mugs. How many mugs could a person possibly need? haha It’s not that it is not appreciated, but it’s just not needed or helpful. A kind note or a cup of coffee should suffice instead of another mug. 🙂

I hope this helps you as you look to partner with your child’s teacher! I am so thankful you even took the time to click on this blog post. This tells me you are serious about partnering with your child’s teacher, care about keeping good teachers in the education system, and care about the future generations. Thank you!