EDUCATION 4 TEACHER GIFTS
M A K E A T E ACH ER ' S W EEK :
A Fresh Way to Say "Thanks" BY LARA KRUPICKA
It's time to say, "thank you" to an educator. The first full week of May is celebrated as National Teacher Appreciation Week, a tradition begun in 1984 by the National PTA®.
It
coincides with the National Education Association's National Teacher Day on May 6th. Whether you spend the week expressing gratitude or take one day to honor a teacher, your actions make a difference in boosting the morale of those who work hard day after day to build the mind of your child.
• W HO TO T H A N K • Our initial reaction is to recognize those who currently serve our children as their primary teacher. But teacher
Youth Program The Loft’s Young Writers’ Program
(ages 6–17) features creative writing classes all summer long taught by established authors and professional writers.
www.loft.org National Parenting Magazine 4.5” 4.83” 10 x FAMILY TIMES APRIL—MAY 2014
appreciation doesn't have to be relegated to one or two individuals on the elementary or middle school level. Our children interact with many different educators in their lifetimes - classroom teachers, PE instructors, and extracurricular leaders such as piano teachers and sports coaches. Sometimes the most validating words of thanks come from former students who recall the ongoing influence of a teacher from their earlier years. We should consider reaching beyond today's schoolroom when encouraging our child to thank a teacher.