As the lovely Google doodle may have informed you, it is National Teachers' Day, a day that falls amid Teacher Appreciation Week, so to all of the wonderful teachers I know let me say "Thank you!" Most people that I know have had more than a handful of awesome teachers who influenced the person they've become. If you're one of those people and you're looking to appreciate a teacher in your life, then allow me to make some suggestions:
1. Just Say Thanks
As simple as it sounds, saying "thank you" is a powerful act. Though most people appreciate teachers and all they do, that gratitude often goes unexpressed. Think about it. When was the last time you thanked a teacher? If the answer is anything other than "today", consider taking a few minutes to give a shout out to a favorite teacher. Make a phone call, send an email, or even stop by in person. I promise you from first-hand experience that it will warm your teacher's heart and they just might keep your thank you note in their desk for the rest of the school year.
2. Volunteer
If you have the time, think about spending a little bit of time in a local classroom. From pre-K to high school, almost all teachers could use a helping hand in their classroom. Whether you want to help throw an end of year party for the little ones in kindergarten or just spend an hour after school helping a teacher get organized, there's probably a place for you. Teachers have a lot on their plates and having an extra set of hands in the classroom every once in awhile can be tremendously helpful.
3. Make a Donation
It's no secret that teachers pour time, energy, and love into their classrooms, but in most cases they're also pouring their own money into their classes. A recent survey showed that teachers spent an average of $485 on supplying their classrooms last academic year. That comes to a whopping total of $1.6 billion nationally. Fortunately, organizations like DonorsChoose are trying to ease the burden. DonorsChoose allows teachers to post projects asking for donations which donors can then fund. It's host to a variety of projects so whether you want to donate to a classroom at the school you grew up at or to fund a specific subject like early literacy or even help out a math teacher who desperately needs shelving in her classroom, there's something for you.
4. Write to a Government Official
In public schools, teachers often operate at the whim of government organizations they have little to no control over. If you really want to help a teacher, make your voice heard on the variety of issues that affect education. This might mean reaching out to a state representative about fully funding education or writing to your US senator about the rate at which students are tested. There are a number of political issues affecting the classroom so talk to a teacher you respect and see what issues touch their life everyday. You might learn something new and feel inspired to lift your voice on the behalf of teachers and students everywhere.
5. Consider Becoming a Teacher
If you're at a point in your life where you don't know what's next, take some time to seriously consider the classroom. For the 2015-2016 school year, all but one state reported at least some teacher shortage. Whether you're a soon-to-be college student or grad or someone looking for a career change, look into offering your talents to the nation's students. One of the best ways you can thank a teacher is by paying it forward.
No matter how you decide to celebrate National Teachers' Day, a teacher near you will appreciate it so take a few minutes and raise your voice to say "Thank you, teachers!"
