May 2nd is National Teachers Day, so make it a point to show the teachers in your child’s life how much you appreciate them, with a bouquet of flowers from Teleflora, just as they’re counting down to that almighty summer break!
Our kids see their teachers 40 hours a week, about nine months out of the year. That means our children spend fewer waking hours with us than they do with them! And teachers aren’t expected to shape the lives of just our kids, but of about 30 other kids, too! It’s a pretty big task. Combine that with handling a few challenging students, some difficult parents, and pressures from testing authorities and it’s not exactly a job I want to take! How about you?!
Teachers make an average of $55,000 a year, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, teachers spend between $500 and $1,000 out-of-pocket on school supplies each year. They are expected to arrive at least an hour before the school day begins, many of them work through all or part of their lunch breaks, and they stay up to five hours after the school day ends, not only to help students and to grade papers, but for administrative meetings. In short, they aren’t compensated nearly enough for the hours they work and the impact they have on our children.
What’s the best way to thank them? They likely have tons of “World’s Best Teacher” paraphernalia and handmade items from students already. Here are a few inexpensive gift suggestions to show your gratitude on National Teachers Day.
Gift cards – You can at least afford to give a $5 gift card to their favorite coffee shop! If you can go bigger, go for it! He or she spends plenty on your child, whether you realize it or not! Because this teacher is a person like anyone else, think of restaurant, entertainment and even spa gift cards that you would give a friend, and not just gift cards relevant to the job. Although, a gift card to an office supply store, music store or art supply store means less out of his or her pocket during the school year!
Gift baskets – Use what you know (or find out more) about this person to put together a themed- gift basket. If she’s a tea drinker, get a cute mug, some tea bags and a box of biscotti, put it in a container that she’ll actually reuse (perhaps for classroom organization) and voilà! You can do the same for a book lover, a beach lover, a nature lover, and when all else fails, prepare a basket that’s representative of the subject he teaches.
Supplies drive – Reach out to the other parents and ask for classroom donations. Ask for the usual and unusual, like paper towels, sandwich bags, art supplies, office supplies, games, books, and electronics. School supply drives are popular in September, but by May, those supplies have depleted. You can even give the donations to the teacher in March or April as a gift for National Teachers Day (because it can be any day you choose, really).
Send a Bouquet – Nothing says I appreciate you more than a bouquet of flowers and everyone loves receiving them. They brighten up a dreary room and bring smiles to faces. This year Teleflora in collaboration with GLSEN wants you to deliver a bouquet of fresh flowers to celebrate teachers making differences in childrens’ lives. During the week of May 8 -12, anyone who purchases Teleflora’s Be Happy Bouquet with Roses will receive 20 percent off their order. 10 percent will benefit GLSEN’s mission of ensuring safe and LGBTQ-inclusive school environment’s for all students to thrive to their full potential. Give a gift that gives back!
The Teleflora Be Happy Bouquet with Roses is a beautiful and cheery arrangement that will surely bring a smile to your favorite’s teacher’s face. Brimming with joyful yellow roses and playful daisies, they are arranged in a lovely keepsake happy-face mug for long lasting enjoyment.
To help you celebrate that special teacher in your life, Teleflora wants to offer one reader the chance to win a $75 gift code. Good on any bouquet sold at Teleflora.com. Gift Code expires May 16, 2017 and is one-time use only. Coupons cannot be combined. Winner will be randomly selected by PromoSimple and will have 48hrs to respond to the winning email. Failure to do so will mean forfeiting your prize and a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!
How do you celebrate those special teachers in your life?
