Teacher Appreciation Week is a big deal for us. One of the things our teachers love is a luncheon. We do it by team so we can cover their classes with support staff. They love sitting down for a nice meal without children and with their team. In some years, I have prepared the luncheon, other years, I have it catered, and sometimes parents will provide. If I was able to come up with a small gift for them, they might go on a scavenger hunt afterwards to find it.
Another thing they love is a gift card give away. I'm sure everyone would not be able to do this, but I ask for $25 gift card donations from our parents. Then we do some type of game that would give out the gift cards to everyone.
Every few years, I'll get parent volunteers to decorate their door. I give them ideas, and will even cut out letters if they want. One year, I asked parents to send in words that describe their child's teacher. I took those words and made a word cloud, framed it, and gave it to them. Another year, a parent volunteered to make a keepsake for all the teachers. This time we had parents send in phrases about their child's teacher.
During the year we will have special lunches. Sometimes everyone will bring something like in a baked potato bar, salad bar or chili. Sometimes we will make a run to Chick fil a or another nearby place that our teachers love. Not all participate, but it is a treat for those who do. We also have bowls of sweet treats out at different times of the year. Some years we have had secret pals for a short amount of time. Not all teachers want to participate, but those that do - love it.
Our teachers don't make near what they are worth. If we can show appreciation to them with some small perks, it goes a long way.
------------------------------
Regina Houser
Director
Lakeside Baptist Weekday Ed
Birmingham AL
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-20-2021 09:44 AM
From: Allyson Ball
Subject: Staff Appreciation
Looking for new ideas for staff appreciation. Please share your ideas or any out of the box ideas. Staff has been such an intricate part of this pandemic, and we all know most do not make hourly what their worth.
------------------------------
Allyson Ball
Director
Imagination Station
Indianapolis IN
------------------------------