It's that time of year when teachers are wrapping up the year, and they get their due appreciation after a long year. After 12 years of teaching, I've had countless friends talk to me about what to get their kids teachers. Now that I am no longer teaching, I can be completely honest.
However much this is true about Happy Hour (which it is), there was nothing I loved more than a hand written note by a student remembering something specific about something we did in class, or a joke I told that they liked, or something personal like that. For some reason "Thanks for all you do" feels kind of empty.
For all you parents struggling with this idea, and feel you must get them something other than a nice note. I am here to ask you to really put yourself in a teachers shoes. Do you want to be burdened with 25 or more things like this at the end of the year? Neither do they.
It's the end of the year, they are trying to clean out a mess, finish testing, do report cards, remain patient and polite to everyone, and oh yeah, keep teaching. It doesn't take all that long to dig into a little bit of what the teachers interests are outside of school, pool together with a few other parents and get them something that they can enjoy outside of school time.
Teachers are the most selfless people around. They are not going to ask you not to decorate their door, knowing they are going to have to clean it up later, nor are they going do anything but smile when you hand them something homemade and dripping with glue, but I am here to tell you for them, please don't do it. Even if they work with kids, they themselves are not a kid, and enjoy things that are beautiful and thoughtful just like anyone else does.
For some reason, more than any profession, I think teachers are perceived as being defined by their job. Just because they work with kids all day, doesn't mean they don't also love Breaking Bad and normal pop culture things that everyone else does.
I'm here to tell you that people teach because they love your kids. They would do it without the refurbished dollar store gifts, candy, and cake. They are ready for a well deserved break, but they will be rested and eager to see you back in the fall to work hard at keeping your kids on the right track. If you would like to give them something in one of our reusable pretty coastal clutches, please enjoy a 15% discount this week only using the coupon code loveyourteacher. To all of my former teaching buddies, you're welcome. xx
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