When my kids were in elementary school, I made a point of asking their teachers’ favorite Starbucks order during Meet the Teacher night. Every Friday, we’d swing by the drive-thru to pick up their TGIF treat—a little gesture of appreciation that doubled as a fun tradition for my kids. They loved delivering it, and it was an easy way to show their teachers that we valued them.
I am a graduate/doctoral faculty member and here to say that academia is a ROUGH place at the moment. While it appears that most participating in this post are parents to younger learners, I would also implore everyone to consider how best to support and elevate adult educators in their wellbeing and professional advancement.
Thanks for bringing this up, Christina! It’s such an important reminder that educators at every level are carrying so much right now. Academia, in particular, is incredibly 'heavy' these days, and it’s easy for those of us outside of it to miss how much is being asked of you—not just in teaching, but in supporting and advocating for students, often without enough support yourselves. I’m glad you’re here, and I hope we keep expanding this conversation to include the well-being of all educators, not just those in K-12.
I always love a handwritten note. Even if it's short, a note about a specific impact they've made or an expression of gratitude feels like it can go a long way.
Yes! A handwritten note feels so personal, and for teachers, it’s something they can hold onto and revisit on the hard days. Knowing that their work made a real impact—and hearing exactly how—must mean the world. Such a simple but powerful way to show appreciation.
The relationship between the parents and the teacher is essential to help supports our kid's development and growth.
I usually show my gratitude and support by:
1. Thank them for being a positive example for my kids to mirror.
2. Let them know the progress I notice in my kids under their care and support.
3. Offer support in the classroom.
4. Seek their advice on what area I can support my kids at home so they are more prepared when they show up in the classroom.
5. Make sure my kid's homework and assignments are current.
6. I also share some background on my kids, such as their learning styles, fears, and communication styles, so they get to know my kids as a person.
These things help the teacher feel acknowledged, supported, and encouraged.
Our goal is to support the teachers so they can support our kids. It's no different from parents supporting other parents so we can all support our kids the best we can.
This is such a thoughtful and intentional approach to building a real partnership with teachers. So often, the focus is on what educators can do for our kids, but this flips it—asking how we can support them in doing their work.
I especially love the idea of sharing insights about your child upfront, similar to what Tony said earlier. That kind of information helps teachers connect with kids as individuals, which ultimately benefits everyone. This is such a great roadmap for parents who want to be more engaged!
One thing we can do is share our kids passions with the teacher, so they have stronger pathways to connect with them and even weave those passions into teaching examples.
Yes! When teachers know what excites a kid, it becomes a bridge—not just to learning, but to trust and engagement. I once had a student with a ton of energy who loved basketball, so I hung a small hoop on my cabinet and worked it into learning games. It made such a difference in how he engaged. A little effort to connect with their passions can go a long way.
Former Elementary Admin Assistant here. Words and thoughtfulness go a really long way. Remembering that they have a big job, they are so under appreciated and small gifts go a long way. Gift cards, asking if they have an Amazon wish list for class items, and little surprises go a really long way. Emailing and offering to send lunch is something they LOVE! And remembering that there’s a whole lot more people that support your child other than their classroom teacher. The lunch ladies, office staff, the administrators, the counselors, janitors, resource officers who keep us all safe. There are a lot of people who do thankless jobs behind the scenes that your child is molded by.
Yes to all of this. It’s so easy to focus only on the classroom teachers (who absolutely deserve our gratitude), but there’s an entire network of people shaping our kids’ school experience—often without recognition. I love the reminder to think beyond the obvious and to show appreciation in ways that actually meet their needs. Sending lunch? Genius. Thank you for sharing this!
School nurse here chiming in. The absolute best gift I received from a parent was dozens of boxes of fun, colorful crayons shaped bandaids along with a variety of children's "character" bandaids. She bought several ear thermometers and other supplies for our students. Sure we had basic supply budget but it was for utilitarian supplies not young children friendly. She also bought some books for the classrooms.
I love this! Something as simple as a fun bandaid can turn a tough moment into a little bit of comfort, and having supplies that actually meet kids where they are makes such a difference. School nurses do so much with so little—what a thoughtful way to show appreciation and make your job just a little easier. Thank you for all you do!
I was a middle and high school teacher for 15 years and the best gifts, honestly, were recognition. Emails, cards, notes from kids, etc. You feel unseen a lot as an educator and feeling like you matter always helped.
And, then there’s the route one parent went that was the best, funniest. Which was during parent teacher conferences she handed me a small bag and said open later, knowing she’d made her appointment to be the first conference. At the end of the night I found a mini cutting board, a small knife, a lime, and 2 airline bottles of really nice tequila 😆😆
Fifteen years in middle and high school—what an impact you’ve had. I love that you mentioned recognition as the best gift. Feeling seen matters in any job, and it’s something so simple yet so often overlooked when it comes to teachers.
And that parent? Absolute legend. 😂 A well-timed gift with just the right message. "I see you, and I know today might be challenging." Teachers deserve that kind of appreciation
There are just so many things.....My biggest one was building Relationships!!! If you don't build a that relationship with each student you NEVER really know who they are, how they learn and how to make them shine! I also got on my "Menefee Soapbox" on being a good human, begin reflective and owning mistakes. Telling them stories of myself, my children, sports experiences etc. Be relatable!! I have so many wonderful memories teaching! It was such a rewarding job.
Menefee!! I’d like to introduce everyone to my oldest daughter’s 4th-grade teacher—someone who made a lasting impact on my own kid during a really tough year for our family.
The way you built community in your classroom was nothing short of magic. You didn’t just teach—you created a space where kids felt seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. And they had a ton of fun doing it. So grateful for all you poured into that class, and especially Finnley!
Thank you!! It is so fun seeing snippets of your kids excelling in ALL their things! Such a fun time, and it just keeps getting better. Hope you're doing so well!
Thanks yours too..I follow them!! I am doing great!!! Got out of education and challenging myself in doing something completely different!! We will need to catch up!
Funny you should ask, Erin, because just yesterday my 14yo told me that her math teacher was telling the class how artists are needed in this world; otherwise, it would be a boring place to live. Her math teacher does these side "life lessons" quite often, according to Felicity, so this morning, before I ever logged in to Substack, I sent her teacher a quick email telling her what a fantastic role model she is for these junior high students.
A thank you goes a long way, and our teachers especially need to hear it.
I love this! Those ‘side life lessons’ stick with kids in ways we don’t always realize, and I’m sure that email meant the world to her. A simple thank you really does go a long way—especially for teachers who give so much and rarely hear it.
When my kids were in elementary school, I made a point of asking their teachers’ favorite Starbucks order during Meet the Teacher night. Every Friday, we’d swing by the drive-thru to pick up their TGIF treat—a little gesture of appreciation that doubled as a fun tradition for my kids. They loved delivering it, and it was an easy way to show their teachers that we valued them.
I am a graduate/doctoral faculty member and here to say that academia is a ROUGH place at the moment. While it appears that most participating in this post are parents to younger learners, I would also implore everyone to consider how best to support and elevate adult educators in their wellbeing and professional advancement.
Thanks for bringing this up, Christina! It’s such an important reminder that educators at every level are carrying so much right now. Academia, in particular, is incredibly 'heavy' these days, and it’s easy for those of us outside of it to miss how much is being asked of you—not just in teaching, but in supporting and advocating for students, often without enough support yourselves. I’m glad you’re here, and I hope we keep expanding this conversation to include the well-being of all educators, not just those in K-12.
Happy to be here and always able to provide perspective! Xx
I always love a handwritten note. Even if it's short, a note about a specific impact they've made or an expression of gratitude feels like it can go a long way.
Handwritten notes are great - and even better when a note of praise or appreciation is shared with the educator’s supervisor.
That's a great idea, Christina!!
Yes! A handwritten note feels so personal, and for teachers, it’s something they can hold onto and revisit on the hard days. Knowing that their work made a real impact—and hearing exactly how—must mean the world. Such a simple but powerful way to show appreciation.
The relationship between the parents and the teacher is essential to help supports our kid's development and growth.
I usually show my gratitude and support by:
1. Thank them for being a positive example for my kids to mirror.
2. Let them know the progress I notice in my kids under their care and support.
3. Offer support in the classroom.
4. Seek their advice on what area I can support my kids at home so they are more prepared when they show up in the classroom.
5. Make sure my kid's homework and assignments are current.
6. I also share some background on my kids, such as their learning styles, fears, and communication styles, so they get to know my kids as a person.
These things help the teacher feel acknowledged, supported, and encouraged.
Our goal is to support the teachers so they can support our kids. It's no different from parents supporting other parents so we can all support our kids the best we can.
This is such a thoughtful and intentional approach to building a real partnership with teachers. So often, the focus is on what educators can do for our kids, but this flips it—asking how we can support them in doing their work.
I especially love the idea of sharing insights about your child upfront, similar to what Tony said earlier. That kind of information helps teachers connect with kids as individuals, which ultimately benefits everyone. This is such a great roadmap for parents who want to be more engaged!
One thing we can do is share our kids passions with the teacher, so they have stronger pathways to connect with them and even weave those passions into teaching examples.
Yes! When teachers know what excites a kid, it becomes a bridge—not just to learning, but to trust and engagement. I once had a student with a ton of energy who loved basketball, so I hung a small hoop on my cabinet and worked it into learning games. It made such a difference in how he engaged. A little effort to connect with their passions can go a long way.
Former Elementary Admin Assistant here. Words and thoughtfulness go a really long way. Remembering that they have a big job, they are so under appreciated and small gifts go a long way. Gift cards, asking if they have an Amazon wish list for class items, and little surprises go a really long way. Emailing and offering to send lunch is something they LOVE! And remembering that there’s a whole lot more people that support your child other than their classroom teacher. The lunch ladies, office staff, the administrators, the counselors, janitors, resource officers who keep us all safe. There are a lot of people who do thankless jobs behind the scenes that your child is molded by.
Yes to all of this. It’s so easy to focus only on the classroom teachers (who absolutely deserve our gratitude), but there’s an entire network of people shaping our kids’ school experience—often without recognition. I love the reminder to think beyond the obvious and to show appreciation in ways that actually meet their needs. Sending lunch? Genius. Thank you for sharing this!
School nurse here chiming in. The absolute best gift I received from a parent was dozens of boxes of fun, colorful crayons shaped bandaids along with a variety of children's "character" bandaids. She bought several ear thermometers and other supplies for our students. Sure we had basic supply budget but it was for utilitarian supplies not young children friendly. She also bought some books for the classrooms.
I love this! Something as simple as a fun bandaid can turn a tough moment into a little bit of comfort, and having supplies that actually meet kids where they are makes such a difference. School nurses do so much with so little—what a thoughtful way to show appreciation and make your job just a little easier. Thank you for all you do!
I was a middle and high school teacher for 15 years and the best gifts, honestly, were recognition. Emails, cards, notes from kids, etc. You feel unseen a lot as an educator and feeling like you matter always helped.
And, then there’s the route one parent went that was the best, funniest. Which was during parent teacher conferences she handed me a small bag and said open later, knowing she’d made her appointment to be the first conference. At the end of the night I found a mini cutting board, a small knife, a lime, and 2 airline bottles of really nice tequila 😆😆
Fifteen years in middle and high school—what an impact you’ve had. I love that you mentioned recognition as the best gift. Feeling seen matters in any job, and it’s something so simple yet so often overlooked when it comes to teachers.
And that parent? Absolute legend. 😂 A well-timed gift with just the right message. "I see you, and I know today might be challenging." Teachers deserve that kind of appreciation
There are just so many things.....My biggest one was building Relationships!!! If you don't build a that relationship with each student you NEVER really know who they are, how they learn and how to make them shine! I also got on my "Menefee Soapbox" on being a good human, begin reflective and owning mistakes. Telling them stories of myself, my children, sports experiences etc. Be relatable!! I have so many wonderful memories teaching! It was such a rewarding job.
Menefee!! I’d like to introduce everyone to my oldest daughter’s 4th-grade teacher—someone who made a lasting impact on my own kid during a really tough year for our family.
The way you built community in your classroom was nothing short of magic. You didn’t just teach—you created a space where kids felt seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. And they had a ton of fun doing it. So grateful for all you poured into that class, and especially Finnley!
Aww...well Finnley is a GEM! So proud of her and YOU!!!
Thank you!! It is so fun seeing snippets of your kids excelling in ALL their things! Such a fun time, and it just keeps getting better. Hope you're doing so well!
Thanks yours too..I follow them!! I am doing great!!! Got out of education and challenging myself in doing something completely different!! We will need to catch up!
That's amazing! Yes!! I would love that.
Funny you should ask, Erin, because just yesterday my 14yo told me that her math teacher was telling the class how artists are needed in this world; otherwise, it would be a boring place to live. Her math teacher does these side "life lessons" quite often, according to Felicity, so this morning, before I ever logged in to Substack, I sent her teacher a quick email telling her what a fantastic role model she is for these junior high students.
A thank you goes a long way, and our teachers especially need to hear it.
I love this! Those ‘side life lessons’ stick with kids in ways we don’t always realize, and I’m sure that email meant the world to her. A simple thank you really does go a long way—especially for teachers who give so much and rarely hear it.