TEACHER APPRECIATION IDEAS

TEACHER APPRECIATION IDEAS

by Barb Patton

Idea # 1

Thanks for Being An Important "Piece"

of Our Children's Department

Everything had a puzzle theme. I gave each teacher a small potted flower with a wooden pick in it. At the top of the pick was an actual wooden piece of a puzzle that had their name painted on it. I contacted local merchants and had almost 30 gift certificates donated. I then cut paper into puzzle shapes, numbered each one with a number between 1-29. Each teacher selected a puzzle piece out of a basket. I then numbered all the certificates 1-29, and gave them to the corresponding teacher. This was really fun as I announced what the certificate was for and then called the numbers. Everyone was in anticipation. For the invitations to them prior to the luncheon, I typed them out on the computer and then cut them into puzzle shaped pieces. They had to put the puzzle together to read the invitation. The kids spelled out "teacher" on large sheets of poster board. I had them do a little poem "T" is for the Time you gave. Each
letter had an important trait the teachers displayed.

Idea #2

"Thanks for Planting the Seeds"

I decorated with a gardening theme. The kids presented the teachers with a pair of gloves, little garden shovel, packet of seeds, and watering can magnet. We did a children's sermon by actually planting a few seeds and discussing how the teachers take the kids as babies in the nursery, nurture them and help them grow. We then had a small plant and continued the story that as the kids grew a little older, the teachers continued helping them grow by planting Bible stories and important Scripture in them, and finished with a large plant that represented them as they were 6th Graders moving onto Youth. Their growing had come along way with the
love and guidance of many people, but that they would continue to need more love and guidance as they continued to grow into adults. We talked about the one constant thing they always had as they grew in different stages was God's grace, love, etc. For decorations, I made a poster with a large flower. The teacher's name was on the center and each child's name in their class was on each petal. This looked really nice when they were all displayed.

Idea # 3

Your Caring and Sharing Is A Work of Heart

We decorated with heart items. We did this in March, and found Valentine's Day leftovers at various stores for 75-90 percent off. I filled little heart containers with candy; had a breakfast with heart-shaped pancakes; used heart balloons for centerpieces, etc.

Idea # 4

"You're a TREASURE beyond MEASURE"

Use a treasure-type theme. For gifts, take a plastic ruler, use double-sided tape and secure Nestle's Treasures chocolate candy onto the rulers and attach a card with the theme.