It's Friday! The sun is shining here in Michigan and the temperatures are rising. It's been a great week here; I hope you've experienced a wonderful week this week, too! As I look back on the week and look ahead to the weekend, these are my top 5 HIGHlights:

1. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week. I had so much fun selecting and giving my kids' teachers a little something to let them know how much I appreciate their dedication, patience, and wisdom. I chose gifts from our Thanks for Making the Difference theme(and of course I included a personal handwritten note). The green tote was a perfect spring way to package the gift, too! So cute!

2. We're ramping up baseball season at my house which means quick dinners, lots of laundry, and many nights spent at the ball fields. It's so fun to watch those little guys out there – especially when one's bent over backwards picking weeds in the outfield during an exciting double play. Across the nation many moms and dads volunteer their time to coach these little fellas (and girlies, too!) Perhaps a mid-season thank you would be appropriate – or an all-team gift at the end of the season… I better get planning!

3. This weekend is Mother's Weekend (notice I did not say DAY). Don't forget to pamper your moms with the rest and relaxation they deserve. Moms are awesome. They do a lot. Say thank you.

4. We're celebrating Tulip Time here in West Michigan. I am not proud to say that I've lived here all my life and I have never been to the Tulip Time festivities. The city is covered with vibrant blooming tulips, Dutch dancers perform nightly, and there's carnival food. Need I say more? This year I will go. I promise.

5. And last, but not least, we're also celebrating National Nurses Week this week! Nurses rock. They give, and give, and give, and give. They help, and comfort, and care for us in times of uncertainty, fear, and discomfort. These people are some of the ultimate givers in life. Have you thanked a nurse lately? If not, there's still time. Do it now.

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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!

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!

Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated annually during the first week of May to honor teachers and school staff. This holiday is a great opportunity to recognize the efforts of teachers and the contributions they make in our communities.

At Baudville, teachers are some of our favorite people! If it wasn’t for them, we would not be here, creating products, providing excellent customer service, and writing tips for you! Each year, we strive to create a new recognition theme that expresses appreciation for their efforts. Over the years, we’ve developed quite a collection! Our recognition themes can be very helpful for your Teacher Appreciation Week planning. Here are 5 ways you can use a theme:

1. Plan your Teacher Appreciation Week events with a theme. For example, you can give the entire week a seaside theme with our Making a Difference themed items.

2. Give a meaningful gift with a recognition theme. Our new Teachers Make the Difference Twist Top Tumblers make a great gift item to kick start Teacher Appreciation Week.

3. Send consistent messages of appreciation. Communication about your appreciation is key during Teacher Appreciation Week! Use one of our recognition themes for coordinating ecards, pocket folders, and stationery that you can use leading up to, during, and after your celebration.



4. Present memorable and meaningful awards. If your school presents awards to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, select a certificate paper or trophy that includes a theme. The theme will tie in with your activities and provide a more memorable award experience.

 

5. Create custom gifts. Our new custom theme gifts simplify the custom process and utilize the recognition themes you already love. Our pick for Teacher Appreciation Week 2013 is the Executive Sticky Note Holder in the “You are Truly Appreciated” theme.

Teacher Appreciation Week is an important time of the year to thank teachers for all their efforts during the school year. We’ve created lots of great themes to make your planning easier. Browse our recognition themes on the website or call a recognition specialist to find the best theme for your celebration!

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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.

Summer is almost over, and most teachers and school staff are already preparing for the back to school rush. Returning to school can be difficult for students and staff alike as they move from vacation-filled days to homework, assignments, and meetings.

Ease the transition for everyone by using these five appreciation tips for teachers, students, and staff. Letting the members of your school know you’re excited to see them in the fall will make them excited for the school year, too!

1. Send a Card to their Home.
Receiving a personal greeting card at home can ease the nerves of a new student or staff member; it will encourage a returning member of your school and get them excited for the new school year. Personalize your card design with your school’s mascot or logo, and write a personal note to each individual. Send these cards out ahead of the first day of school to start the new year off on a positive note!

2. Create a Sign for their Office or Desk.
Make teachers, staff, and students feel welcome when they walk into the building by creating a sign with their name on it. Using certificate paper or border paper, create a design with your logo or mascot, the individual’s name, and their position or classroom. Post the signs on and around classroom doors. Everyone will have fun looking for their names when they return to school!

3. Surprise them with a Sweet Treat.
At Baudville, candy is often part of our appreciation events. It even makes a regular appearance in certain team meetings! Surprise your team of teachers with a sweet treat and put a smile on their face before you begin a staff meeting or training.

4. Start the Year with a New Recognition Program Theme.
A new recognition theme can keep your program fresh and exciting to teachers and staff. When you welcome your team back to school, unveil the new theme and give the first recognition to a staff member who helped prepare for the back to school rush. Remind your staff of the importance of recognizing each other before you begin the school year!

5. Give a Gift to Create Team Unity.
Give each staff member and teacher a back to school gift to pump them up for the school year. I recommend our You Rock Twist Top Tumblers. The tumbler is a popular gift item this summer, so your team will be excited to receive it. It’s also very practical, and you’ll notice teachers and staff members using it on a regular basis!

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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.

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.