Three Reasonable Ways to Appreciate Teachers

By Stanley T. Crawford, Ed.D.

We should show teachers appreciation more than just during Teacher Appreciation week. If

you are an administrator or supervisor, you should consider showing your teachers and staff

appreciation several times throughout the school year. We will take a look at three easy and

reasonable ways to show teachers, paraprofessionals, other educators, and staff appreciation. In

addition, to showing your teachers appreciation, these activities will foster teamwork and

collaboration, and build esprit de corps. The three ways are to:

1. Draw gift cards for perfect attendance.

2. Treat your teachers to ice cream, smoothies or some other refreshing beverage.

3. Buy your teachers chocolate candy, cake, or cookies.

Let us begin, with drawing gift cards for perfect attendance. Perfect attendance is a valued

objective for most teachers. For the administrator or supervisor a teacher or staff member with

perfect attendance is a highly valued team member. The drawing could be one time in the school

year, once each semester, or a drawing every six weeks. This may be dictated by budgetary

constraints, or by a desire to use other appreciation ideas. Drawing and presenting before the

team adds a dimension of fun and anticipation to the presentation. In addition, it publicly

recognizes a valued attribute desired of team members.

Second, we will look at treating your teachers to ice cream, smoothies or other refreshing

beverages. All of us enjoy a refreshing beverage, the presentation of the beverage may add to

the positive feelings that your teachers get with this appreciation method. You should consider

whether you will provide the beverage before school, during lunch, or after-school. In addition,

the setting where the beverage is provided is important, as well. If at an after-school faculty

meeting the more time allotted for socialization the better. Keep in mind: teacher appreciation,

foster teamwork and collaboration, and build esprit de corps.

Finally, you may choose to provide your teachers chocolate candy, cake or cookies.

Chocolate candy is a favorite of most teachers. You may select an everyday chocolate, or a

fancy chocolate. In addition, you may want to include a quality non-chocolate candy for the few

individuals who do not like or desire to eat chocolate. If you go with cookies or cake, do not

forget the plates, utensils, and napkins. As with the previous two suggestions for appreciating

your teachers, the more social time the better.

In concluding, gift cards; ice cream; chocolate candy, cookies or cake, are three great

ways of showing your teachers appreciation. Also, these activities will foster teamwork and

collaboration, and build esprit de corps. Keep in mind the presentation is important. Don’t

forget about the when, where, and how of the appreciation activity.

About the Author: Dr. Stanley T. Crawford is an educator, author, and poet. He is the author of

the book, Cinquains: Volume I, http://bit.ly/SGt2yl. Follow me on Twitter: @Artistwithwords,

also “Like” me on Facebook, http://on.fb.me/10CGgmn. Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved.