With recent news of Albertan teachers going on strike due to things like unfair wages and difficult working conditions, it shows us how our society tends to underappreciate all that our teachers do for us. As youth in Calgary, we rely on our teachers the most and count on them to support us through our education. In light of all that’s going on right now, it’s time we put some effort into thanking our teachers this Thanksgiving season.
Teachers have one of the biggest impacts on a child’s life, being a child’s trusted adult, counselor, mentor, and educator all in one. Oftentimes, their pay doesn’t reflect all the roles they take on in the classroom, and their passion for their job is admirable. From helping you choose a career path to teaching you important skills, teachers set you up for success. The least we as students can do is show them our gratitude!
If you’re stuck on coming up with ways to show your teacher how much you appreciate them, here are some thoughtful ways to thank your school staff!
Kind Cards
Even if they seem like the most basic way of giving thanks, a kind card can go a long way! You’d be surprised at how rare card-giving has become in recent times, especially as we grow older. Instead of giving your teachers cards for just Christmas this year, turn card-giving into a year-round affair rather than just for the holidays. Consider making them a personalized card with a small note inside! You can mention a specific time the teacher helped you out, give them a compliment, or just recognize their work in the classroom in general. It doesn’t have to be a letter or a whole soliloquy, but a silly card with a teacher joke/pun is a great way to bring a smile to your teacher’s face.
You could also customize the message and theme the card based on the class they teach. So far, the most creative one I’ve seen is someone who wrote the words “Thank You” by using physics formulas! At the end of the day, even a simple doodle can brighten someone’s week during hard times.
Enough With the Mugs! Choose Markers Instead
The amount of mugs teachers receive as gifts needs to be studied! If you want to make your gift more thoughtful, replace the mugs for markers or other meaningful alternatives that they can use in the classroom. Teachers spend an unfathomable amount of money out of their own paychecks on stationery and classroom supplies every year. Giving them a gift like whiteboard markers, desk organizers, school supplies, or even a pack of those really good Amazon pens shows you put some thought into selecting a gift they can use. Trust me, you’ll become their new favourite student after this one.
If you’re confused about what your teacher would benefit from, you could also get them a gift card to a stationery store, or even Walmart! You can also go above and beyond and consider teaming up with your friends to create a mini gift basket, or Teacher Survival Kit featuring stationery, snacks, coffee, and teacher puns. Most of the time, the thought you put into the gift means more to your teacher than the actual gift itself.
A Short & Sweet Message/Email
This one is similar to the kind cards, but more simple and quick. Whether its on a sticky note, at the top of an assignment, or a short message at the end of an email, tell your teacher you appreciate them! You can thank them for their help in a specific class and provide an example, or leave to a simple “Thank you for all that you do!”
When emailing them for things like help on an assignment or an extension, ensure you are polite and end off the email with a message of gratitude. These small messages/acts of kindness can make a big impact in anyone’s life– not just your teacher’s.
Make A Thank-You Video
If you have the time, resources, and enough people willing to participate, you can make a short Thank-You video for your teachers. Ask your friends for permission to record a short clip of them saying thank you, or speaking about a specific memory with a teacher that they are grateful for. You can compile all these videos into a montage, and include some humor in it as well. Whether its a short clip of them saying a funny quote or an iconic Halloween costume of theirs (is it universal for Physics teachers to dress up as Gandalf?), your teachers will appreciate the time and effort you put into appreciating them.
Create A Class Collage/Poster
If your favourite teacher is leaving, or even if you just want to do something nice for a teacher you appreciate, consider making a collage or a poster with pictures of you and your classmates. You can collect signatures and get everyone to write small comments of gratitude on it as well, or even put it in a picture frame and gift it to your teacher that way. A group photo of your class with your teacher with signatures on the back is a great gift also. If your classmates/friends are willing to, you could all decorate a picture frame (or sign it) and put the poster in it, or just make it online and print it out like a card. This will become a heartwarming keepsake for your teacher to look at!
TL;DR
With Alberta teachers striking over low pay and tough working conditions, it’s a reminder of how underappreciated educators are, especially since they do so much more than teach. This Thanksgiving season, take time to thank your teachers for their impact on your life. Small acts of gratitude can go a long way! Here are some ideas:
- Write a kind card: Share a heartfelt note or doodle to show appreciation.
- Instead of mugs, gift supplies: Give meaningful gifts like markers, pens, or gift cards instead of another mug.
- Send a short message: Add a quick thank-you at the end of an email or assignment.
- Make a thank-you video: Gather friends to record clips of appreciation or funny memories.
- Create a class collage: Collect signatures and photos for a thoughtful keepsake to give to your teacher.
Teachers shape our futures, let’s show them how much they mean to us!