Teacher Appreciation Week

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week at Grace's MDO/preschool. I was honored to coordinate it and had lots of fun thinking of creative ways to thank the five amazing teachers and one wonderful director that take care of 37 wiggly little bodies every week.

We collected donations from each family in order to be able to provide a catered lunch each day, small daily gifts, and a nice thank you gift to each teacher on the last day which was today. Parents signed up to bring breakfast, fruit, dessert, and drinks each day. I was so very excited that 100% of the families participated. I think it speaks volumes as to how we feel toward these amazing ladies!

So now that it's over (and no one can sneak a peek - tee hee hee) here's what we did:

MONDAY - "A teacher can't live by apples alone, she needs hugs too!" When I was planning the week I remembered a conversation I had with Cheryl, the director, where we laughed at all the apple-themed stuff teachers get in a lifetime, so I thought this was a cute way to poke fun at that {idea for tag line via here). The little vinyl containers came from the dollar section at Target a while back (sorry!), but you can find all sorts of cute containers there and at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Dollar Tree - anywhere!

TUESDAY - "Thank you for being so berry sweet to our kids!" My co-chair helped put these together - aren't they cute? Thanks Hallie! We went with berry-scented lotions from Bath & Body Works to play up the theme.

One of the other moms and I also baked cookies because who doesn't love fresh-baked cookies?? ;) I found these cute paper bags at Michael's - lovin' the polka dots! - and used them for the cookies. I took advantage that I was baking and made an extra dozen for an employee that just bought a new house. And then just added this sentiment (by the way, you can make really cute printed tags for all of these but unfortunately our printer was on the fritz, so I just wrote each tag by hand).
WEDNESDAY - "Thank you for helping us become sharpies and smarties this year!" Here's a close-up: The jars came from Michael's (plastic sorting jars in the scrapbook section, 3/pack) and then I just filled them up with smarties candy and tied on some fun-colored Sharpies. Okay, so you can learn from my panic-stricken moment late one night...Target does not sell smarties. Walmart does not sell smarties. At least not ours. Thank goodness a last minute thought to check Dollar Tree yielded the prized smarties! Whew!
THURSDAY - "Thank you for helping our kids GROW in God's love." This was probably my favorite just for the sentiment. I purchased potted geraniums (PINK of course ;) and added the little tag on a baker's lollipop stick. Sorry these pics have such terrible lighting. I took pics LATE each night as I finished the gifts.

And then for their end-of-the-week gift, we were able to purchase Spa manicure/ pedicure gift certificates for each teacher. A little pampering treat for our teachers who give so much of themselves to take care of our little ones. So that's it! I think our teachers enjoyed all the little treats and the wonderful food. I had fun putting it all together. And just so you know, I did NOT come up with all the sayings myself, I did lots of lookin' via blog hopping off of Tip Junkie and then tweaked it a bit to fit our needs. Check Tip Junkie out - there are some fun and creative ideas out there!

And mostly, just let your children's teachers know how much you appreciate them. A good teacher makes such an impact in a child's life. I should know! My 4th grade teacher Sister Georgine and I corresponded until the day she passed at 98. I still remember how proud I felt of the "penmanship awards" she used to give me. Send your teachers a little hand-written note and just love on them.

THANK YOU Mrs. Cheryl, Mrs. Sharon, Mrs. Laura, Mrs. Veronica, Mrs. Maria, and Mrs. Patti for lovin' on our sweet kiddos as if they were your own. You are one amazing group of teachers!


May God bless you as you've blessed our little ones by your guidance and love!~Jessica