May is Teacher Appreciation Month. This is the #1 way to show support to the educators who give so much to your child.
Dear Baton Rouge Families,
From pre-k to high school, Baton Rouge educators are everyday heroes for our kids and community. A teacher’s work goes beyond the whiteboard to caring for a child’s unique social-emotional needs today while helping them dream about their future. The average teacher will instruct more than 3,000 students throughout their career, meaning their efforts profoundly impact the trajectory of a community.1
Research shows how meaningful that impact becomes as a student grows up. About one out of every two students say they’ve had a teacher who helped them through a difficult time, and 88% of people say their teachers played a significant positive role in their lives.2
Sadly, teachers are under significant pressure from many angles and approximately half of all educators are considering leaving the field.3 While students and families may not be able to control many of those pressures, there is one way to make a difference today.
The Power of a Simple Note
Teach225 works with teachers and schools across the city, giving our team a unique opportunity to ask teachers what they really want for Teacher Appreciation Month. We found a few common themes, but one rose to the top: sharing a heartfelt, personalized note.
Never underestimate the power of kind words. An elementary school teacher we interviewed said,
“Sometimes you think, ‘Is what I’m doing having any effect? Does what I do matter?’ And when [parents and students] tell you what you did and how it impacted them, that really helps you change your worldview and orient yourself in what you’re doing.”
Sharing a specific example about how you’ve seen your child grow since they entered a teacher’s classroom can become a lifeline for discouraged educators. It also lets teachers know that you’re on their team. One teacher revealed,
“If teachers and parents get to know each other better, there’s a natural support developed for one another instead of these walls.”
Communicating gratitude for their hours of investment opens up trust and conversations that lead to better outcomes for everyone.
Share Your Toast for a Teacher
And even better if you can call out their good deeds in public! Teach225 created a Toasts for Teachers digital community message board to harness the power of community. You can join other families across the city in writing a note and sharing special photos or drawings on the board right now.
We all have busy schedules and challenges that need our attention. However, your small act of kindness can be the difference between a valuable educator choosing to return for another year or leaving the field to use their gifts elsewhere. Will you join our movement to support teachers today? Click here to write your own note.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Simmons
Teach225 Talent Manager
3National Education Association
Teach225 is a community resource devoted exclusively to educators seeking empowering career resources. We help career transitioners and current teachers find support and certification programs to reach their goals, regardless of where they are in their journey