Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Parents lay the groundwork for their kids' education by teaching them to walk, talk and successfully go to the bathroom on their own. However, in most cases, the remainder of their child's education goes into the hands of a third party.
Whether they go to a public, private, charter or online school, studies have shown that educators are the second most influential factor in a child's future. While they teach students a variety of subjects from kindergarten through grade 12, educators also foster various other skills to help later in life. For instance, they help develop confidence, resilience and self-esteem by encouraging kids to make friends, keep trying new things and become autonomous.
As one may expect, this can be a lot of pressure added onto an already strenuous job. That's why, every year, it's important to celebrate the teachers who invest so much of their time and energy into fostering the future. National Teacher Appreciation Week will be observed this year between Monday, May 8 and Friday, May 12, and will provide the perfect opportunity for parents and students to give their thanks to some very deserving individuals. Need some ideas on how to get the message across?
Well, nothing says “thank you” more than a handmade card or note. This go-to is a classic and is sure to warm the hearts of any educator you give it to. Add your own personalized message to a card, and decorate it with things that remind you of your teacher. You can also print off a template to color in, then write your own message on.
Similarly, you can create a personalized bookmark. There are tons of ideas for this little craft online, but you can always keep it simple. Grab a piece of card stock (any color will do, but your teacher's favorite color might earn you bonus brownie points), cut it so it's roughly two inches wide and six inches in length, write your teacher's name in bold letters at the top or along the side, and decorate the remaining space with your own art. Don't forget to sign the bookmark with your name and the school year once you're done! Once you're satisfied with the design, grab a roll of masking tape and lay a strip down lengthwise on the bookmark. Then, flip the bookmark over and lay a second piece down. Cut the excess tape off around the edges and sides, and – voila! – you have a perfectly “laminated” bookmark. For extra pizzaz, make a hole at the top of the bookmark using a hole punch and wrap a piece of ribbon around it.
Of course, if you're not able to take the time out to express your appreciation through art, there are a few other gifts you can give. Give your educators some of their favorite chocolate or other type of sweets, give them flowers or even just stop them in the halls, give them a hug and tell them just how much you appreciate them. No matter what you do, it's sure to make your teacher's week a lot brighter, and will let them know you're rooting them on just as much as they are you.