Aside from my job at Baudville, I also work 24/7 as a mother of three little boys. My oldest is in kindergarten, my middle is in preschool, and my little one is just a year old. The oldest started school just last year so it was my first go-round with teachers from a parent's perspective.

Can I say just one thing? Teachers amaze me. Their patience, their planning, their ability to get excited about story problems, fractions, nouns, verbs, and sedimentary rocks...When they get excited, the students get excited. And when the students get excited, they learn!

As a mom, there is nothing cooler than seeing the work your kids bring home from school and watching them beam from ear-to-ear at their newfound knowledge and achievement. Teachers do that. It's the teachers that make that happen.

While our assembly of educators deserves recognition and appreciation for the work they do every day, there just so happens to be one week out of the year dedicated to them! May 6-10, 2013 is Teacher Appreciation Week.

You may or may not be on the PTA at your children's school, but don't let that stop you from appreciating your child's teacher come May 6th! Go out of your way to let Jack's teacher know how much you appreciate her. And be sure to tell Max's music teacher that he rocks! Has Mrs. Hendrickson been spending some extra time with Alaina to help her with her Algebra? Tell her she's making a difference! I guarantee your kind words and tokens of appreciation will be cherished.

Want to totally lead the charge? Talk to your school's administration and ask them what they have planned for Teacher Appreciation Week. Bring some ideas to the table!

Give everyone a Teacher's Make the Difference Travel Mug with a $5 gift card to your local coffee shop.

Have t-shirts made with our fun education-specific Smart Sayings or Themes and add your school name!

 

A Teachers Rock insulated cooler bag would make a great gift with a personal hand-written note inside!

 

Silver Gift Pens make an elegant gift and come packaged in a silver foil-stamped, black gift box (for under $10 each!)

 

Check out all of our Teacher Gifts!

I used to think that teaching was an easy gig – spring break, summers off, in-service days...man, what a life! And then I had kids...and I only have my own three kids! I can't imagine spending 6 hours a day with 30 of someone else's kids! Teachers, I salute you. You're helping to shape the future of this country. You don't get recognized enough. THANK YOU!

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As a team member since 2005, Falon has worn just about every hat the 'ville has to offer. She's seen both sides of working life — as an employee and as a manager — so if it sounds like she knows what she's talking about, we're pretty sure that's why. When she's not juggling between the IDville and Baudville brands, she's been known to whip up a mean diorama - just like that!

The school year is coming to a close, and both teachers and students are looking forward to their summer vacations! Before school is out for summer, it’s important to thank the teachers for their hard work and dedication. After all, they spend a lot of time with your child!

When you package your end of the school year teacher gift, be sure to include a personal note or card. A handwritten note that mentions specific moments from the school year will make a huge impression on the teacher. Long after the gift has been used, the handwritten thank you will remain as a touching tribute to the teacher. You can also attach one of our free printable teacher appreciation Print and Posts for a fun appreciation message.

Here are five end of the school year teacher appreciation ideas that will say thanks:

1. School Supplies Tower.
Teachers are always in need of more school supplies! At the end of the school year, refill your teacher’s supply cabinets with crayons, notebooks, pencils, rulers, and more. Your teacher ill appreciate the practical gift, and the unique presentation will make the gift memorable! You can find several arrangements of this teacher appreciation idea on our Gifts for Teachers Pinterest board.

2. Fun in the Sun.
Help your teacher get ready for a relaxing summer with a summer-themed gift. Arrange a beach towel, sunscreen, flip flops, and magazines or paperback books in a beach tote. You could also include a gift card to a local bookstore, so the teacher can choose her own beach reading or buy supplies for the classroom. Your teacher will be able to take the bag directly to the beach for some light reading and time in the sun!

These teacher appreciation ideas are better than an apple!

3. Class Pictures.
For a truly personal end of the school year teacher appreciation idea, utilize pictures of the class from the school year. You can frame a class picture in an engraved photo frame with a personal message for the teacher, create a photo book, or work with a group of students to make a photo collage.

4. Sweet Treat Send Off.
The final days of the school year can be stressful and hectic. It’s a perfect time to show your appreciate with baked goods! Make your teacher’s favorite treat or one of your specialties. Make an effort to personally deliver the treat so you can say thank you face-to-face. If I were a teacher, this would be my favorite teacher appreciation idea!

5. Teacher Awards.
Parents and students are often the ones giving teacher appreciation at the end of the year, but the school should be involved, too. The end of the school year is a great time to present awards to teachers for outstanding service and accomplishments. Create certificates for your award winners and take their picture with the Principal or Superintendent. Submit the photos and a press release about the awards to the local paper to give your teachers the recognition they deserve!

Do you want more teacher appreciation ideas? Download our free Teacher Appreciation Ideas eBook for 60 different ways to thank teachers!

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Cori is Baudville's in-house Recognitionista (she's officially a Certified Recognition Professional, too)  and a member of the Millennial generation. Get her employee recognition tips and special discounts by liking Baudville on Facebook.