This week is all about teachers! Our son is in 4th grade and this is his first year at the intermediate school, with about 750 kids. I’m so glad this transition and year has been so fun and successful for him. We've been so fortunate to have quality schools, teachers and education.

His teacher is super busy with almost 30 kids in her group. I think she’s been an effective, kind teacher and reasonable – not too much homework or difficult to work with at all. I’m so glad he’s had such a good experience at school this year. He loves to go and it has a lot to do with his teacher.
Often I’ve been asked if I was going to homeschool him and the answer is no – I’m not a reading specialist. I’m not very good with math and I don’t have all the tools to teach him. I’m sure I could teach him, but I really don’t have any desire to and I don’t believe he would get as good or well rounded of an education from me. He’s already learned a lot at home with me, during the early years. I believe he learned a love of learning and for reading right here at home that has put him on the right track for the rest of his school years.
Plus, there’s things others can teach him that I just can not. There’s something to be said about him learning to respect and listen to another adult that is not his parents. Conforming to expectations of the group. Following rules, learning a school culture.
There’s also the aspect of being part of the classroom community and having friends. Being an only child, I feel it’s especially important. There’s a greater world that he is introduced to out there while I help form morals, standards and expectations at home. This is a world he needs to learn to live in with my guidance.
How do you really thank a teacher? Our son spends his day with her and she is influencing and helping him grow. My thought is to thank her often & generously! I like to send something on holidays throughout the year, not just once. We all need to feel appreciated. My experience has been that little things like this make a big difference in the relationship between teacher, child and family. I know the years are numbered where he will take something like this to school, but until then…!
Here’s a little inspiration for a teacher appreciation gift:
For the teacher – bucket {from Michael’s with a Martha Stewart chalkboard label} with:
- Kit Kat bar
- Orbit gum
- Michael’s gift card
- 2 rolls of washi craft tape
- Martha Stewart notebooks {picked these up on clearance a while back to have for things like this}
- colorful sparkly key ring
- silk flower bouquet {clearance at Michael’s}
- framed “big heart” printable from Bitsy Creations
- Chalkboard “thank you” pic

Sparkly beaded keychain from Michael’s $3.99 – I think I need one too! 

I’m a big fan of this printable here {find it at Bitsy Creations} – love the saying, love the colors & format! It printed so nice as 2” x 3” for this little frame, also from Michael’s.
