Teachers are a special breed of adults, willing to wake up every day and face a classroom full of kids who will bring them joy and make them cry—possibly in the same day. They are the ones who worry—almost as much as you do—about why your child seems to be struggling so much to learn that math concept.
They spend hours in the summer prepping and hours in the evening correcting, all to help your child succeed. It is sometimes a thankless job as they handle tough children or face criticism from parents and administration. That’s why I thought that all teachers, but especially teachers who are also Christian, deserve a letter of thanks. If you can’t think of the words to say, feel free to copy this one—or share it on your Facebook page.
Dear teachers,
We know this is not just another job. We are filled with joy that you have dedicated your lives to our children. We see what you do each day for them. We are thankful for and humbled by your servant-heart as you walk into the classroom each day.
As you teach in the classroom, your faith shines through and you follow God’s command to “be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1,2).
You make sacrifices for our children. When they imitate you—and they do!—they imitate God.
Thank you for the days when you seem to be doing more parenting than teaching. We know that “if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (Matthew 10:42).
Thank you, when the days are long and the children are feisty, for forgiving them and teaching them to forgive.
For all of this—and so much more—“We always thank our God as we remember you in our prayers” (Philemon 1:4).
By the way, if you’d like to get your children’s teacher a thank-you gift, here are some ideas that bring consistent raves from my family and friends who are teachers. (Obviously not all these things work for all teachers. Get to know your child’s teacher and see what things make him or her feel appreciated.)
• A gift card for your teacher to take out his or her spouse for dinner. Teachers’ spouses often make dinner, let spouses vent, and give them up for evening activities at school.
• A homemade freezer meal. There is nothing better than coming home from a long day of teaching to know that dinner is made.
• Wine and chocolate is a great way to encourage them to relax after a long school year.
• Tickets to a baseball game or concert.
Want to get ahead of the game? Here are ways to celebrate your children’s teachers all year.
- Donut Friday. Every Friday throughout the school year, my friend brings the teacher a treat.
- Fresh flowers. Bring cut flowers from your garden to brighten up the classroom each Monday.
- $5 gift cards for ice cream, coffee, or a bakery. Teachers often spend their own money on school supplies, so help them treat themselves.
- Commit to praying for your child’s teacher one day a week. Call it Teacher Tuesday.
