4 Unique Ways to Give Thanks to Teachers Right Now

Currently, the world faces an uncertain time. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of strain on thousands of individuals who don't know what's next. Those people include educators, who continue to provide support despite the circumstances. If you want to show your appreciation, there's never been a better time to do so.

Here are a few ways to give thanks to your kids' teachers.

1. Donate to an Organization

   Because thousands of schools have closed across the country, many children don't have a safe space. They also can't access nutritious meals, so their families need to scramble to find other options. To help those kids thrive, you can donate to an education-based charity – in your chosen teacher's name! There are many foundations to help, whether you want to contribute to UNICEF or your local food drive.

   After you choose an organization, send a message that expresses your gratitude. Provide some details about the charity, too. You can include a screenshot of the submission or send a gift certificate if that's an option.

2. Collect Classroom Supplies

   Although many children have to learn at home right now, you can still put together a bag of different classroom supplies. If you want to organize a drive, you could contact other parents, too. Either way, consider your child's grade level so that you can buy the right materials. In addition to items like books, you could offer to print off lessons and activities. 

   Some children don't have access to the internet at home, so they're unable to participate in web-based classrooms. Ask your chosen teacher what you can do to help make sure that each student has an equal opportunity to learn. No matter how you decide to help, remember to set up a contact-free drop-off.

3. Play the Lottery

   A lot of people don't know that the lottery gives back to state-wide education systems. For example, the Virginia Lottery donated $650 million to public schools in 2019. That's nearly 10% of the state's education budget! Even if you don't play the lottery regularly, you could buy a few scratch-offs to support your local school district. 

   You could even create a gift basket for your chosen teacher – and add in a few tickets with a note about the lottery's program.

4. Send a Virtual Gift Card

   Typically, you'd send your child to school with a heartfelt card and a $20 gift card whenever you wanted to give thanks. Now, you can do the same – but online. This time around, choose gift cards for online books or learning services. Teachers can use these materials to supplement their current lesson plans.

If you can't find options for those suggestions, try an Amazon or Visa gift card sent by email. Your chosen teacher can spend that money to order other necessities that they deem fit. Try not to go over $20 for any given teacher, as many think more than that amount can be overkill. Don't forget to add a small note from your child, too.

Try These Tips to Show Your Appreciation

Right now, many teachers don't know what to expect – but they're trying their hardest to manage. You can use these ideas to help them get through this challenging experience.