As May arrives, it appears that the end of the school year is on the horizon, bringing a sense of relief to many. However, for teachers, May can be one of the lengthiest and most demanding months of the academic calendar. The weather warms up, and students settle comfortably into their routines, making it a challenging time for educators. Additionally, standardized testing disrupts the usual school schedule. Nevertheless, teachers continue to put forth their best efforts, and there are simple ways to support them as they approach the final day of school.
EFFORTLESS WAYS TO ASSIST TEACHERS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
As the academic year draws to a close, the teachers who have played a crucial role in your children’s lives could benefit from your assistance. Offering a morale boost doesn’t require substantial effort or financial expenditure.
As both a parent and a teacher, I understand that even the smallest gestures can make a significant difference as the school year concludes. A heartfelt note from a parent, an email from a former student, a drawing left on my desk, or an unexpected delivery of tissue boxes bearing my name can be incredibly meaningful. These acts are tangible ways in which parents and students convey their care and appreciation.
Here are some straightforward methods to support teachers as they count down the days until summer vacation. Additionally, there’s a giveaway opportunity from Andar in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week next week. Keep reading for a chance to win a Denner wallet to gift to your child’s teacher!
OFFER TO VOLUNTEER
If you haven’t had the chance to volunteer in the classroom throughout the year, don’t fret. There are uncomplicated ways to assist teachers both within and beyond the classroom.
Parents of elementary school children can assemble the final Scholastic Book Order packets for distribution or organize memory book pages. You can also let your teacher know that you’re available to help with last-minute coloring and cutting for end-of-year projects. Anything you can do at home while watching TV in the evening can save your child’s teacher from spending their nights on the same tasks!
Parents of middle and high school students can contribute by providing food or monetary donations for school-wide Teacher Appreciation Week events. You can also consider joining the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) if you haven’t already (it’s not too late), or volunteer for parent leadership positions that may have openings for the upcoming school year. Volunteering in middle and high school may differ from elementary school, but it’s equally valuable.
ASSIST WITH END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATIONS
End-of-year celebrations vary from one school to another, but if the responsibility falls on the teacher, offering to share the load can be immensely helpful. Parents of elementary school students can collect funds or volunteer to do grocery runs for supplies. You can also gather information to discern what your teacher would appreciate as an end-of-year gift. For teacher gift ideas, refer to my “Best Teachers Gifts” guide for a list of 27 great gifts and 4 items to avoid!
Parents of middle and high school students can assist with decorating for an end-of-year dance, chaperoning field trips, or volunteering as chaperones for prom or after-prom events. A pro tip: It’s generally best not to volunteer for your own child’s prom or after-prom; volunteering for these events in the year before or after your child attends is a better approach!
REPLENISH CLASSROOM SUPPLIES
Classroom supplies tend to overflow at the beginning of the school year with generous donations. However, by this point in the year, essentials like hand soap, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and tissues often run low. A simple way to aid teachers is to restock these much-needed supplies as the year draws to a close. I recall my children coming home from elementary school and reporting that their classrooms were running low on wide-ruled paper, antibacterial wipes, and tissues as the end of the year approached!
It’s safe to assume that teachers at all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school) are in need of supplies during this period. You can send an email or a note to inquire about supplies you can pick up while running errands. If you don’t receive a response, understand that teachers are likely occupied. Any supplies you can provide would be greatly appreciated, with extra tissues, hand sanitizer, and antibacterial wipes topping the list as spring allergies and colds are common.
ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT YEAR
As teachers wrap up the current school year, they are also contemplating the year ahead. A simple way to support teachers who may be teaching a new grade level or transitioning to a different school is to encourage them to establish a page on DonorsChoose.org or AdoptaClassroom.org to secure funding for essential resources and materials.
These national platforms allow individuals to “adopt” a classroom by searching for a teacher’s name, school, or location. They can serve as an excellent source of seed money for significant purchases such as iPads for educational purposes, a new rug for whole-class instruction, or even everyday essentials. Contributions made through these online organizations provide a wonderful opportunity for family members to contribute to your child’s education by supporting their teacher. Moreover, donors can claim a tax deduction since these gifts are tax-deductible.
SEND A CHEERFUL GESTURE
A simple way to assist teachers is by offering a quick pick-me-up. A handwritten note, a digital e-card, freshly picked flowers from your garden, or a favorite treat grabbed hastily in the grocery store checkout line can convey your appreciation and thoughtfulness to your child’s teacher. These small acts of kindness can have a significant impact and help teachers navigate through May and reach the end of the school year.
When you make the effort to demonstrate your care for the teachers in your child’s life, you serve as a model of kindness and gratitude for your children. I always cherished it when my middle school students left notes in my mailbox, shared their favorite candies from home, or drew pictures to give me at the end of class. These small acts of kindness made a world of difference and provided me with invaluable support as I journeyed through May toward the conclusion of the school year.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK GIVEAWAY FROM ANDAR
In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week next week, Andar is offering a chance to gift a teacher one of their popular Denner wallets! I recently received a Denner wallet in Peony and immediately wished I had it during my teaching days.
This slim, lightweight wallet is crafted from incredibly soft and luxurious leather and can hold a surprising amount in its compact design. It features 5 card slots capable of accommodating up to 10 cards, a pocket with a non-elastic pull tab for quick and easy access to all your cards, an ID pocket ideal for your driver’s license or staff ID, and it also offers RFID protection.
The wallet can easily fit inside a teacher’s tote or laptop bag, be worn around the neck with The Lanyard for holding keys while teaching, or be carried with the matching leather wristlet strap included for after-hours use.
I adore the versatility and style of this fantastic product, and I’m incredibly grateful that Andar wants to offer one as a giveaway to a lucky reader to gift to their favorite teacher.
To enter the giveaway, visit the Andar website and leave a comment specifying the teacher’s name and the color of the Denner wallet you’d like to gift to them. You
can also use the Rafflecopter form below to earn extra entries. At the end of the giveaway, one winner will have the opportunity to designate a teacher to receive the Denner wallet from Andar.
