Thanking Teachers

    With only a few weeks left of school it's time to begin thinking about end-of-the-year gifts for teachers. As a teacher for 10 years I received all sorts of gifts from my students from the useful (gift cards) to the practical (notepads and coffee mugs).

    My most favorite gift remains a coffee table book I received from one of my first grade students. He handed me the gift on the last day of school and was anxious for me to open it. We always went on a roller skating field trip for the last day and I was busy getting everything ready for our skating party. I promised to open it later we got back from roller skating but time got away from me and the students were dismissed. As I was cleaning up the classroom I found the unopened gift. I walked over to my partner teacher’s room and commented "Jordan wanted me to open this and I ran out of time." So I unwrapped the gift and found a nice coffee table book. I open the front cover and inside Jordan had written, "to Mrs. Sarver, When I was honored I wish you would have been honored to because without you I couldn't have done it. Love, Jordan." Jordan had been the first grader who received the award for most improved during the school year and I was so touched when I read his inscription in the book thanking me for my help throughout the year. I am typically not an emotional person but was so touched with what he had written that it brought tears to my eyes and remains today one of my most treasured gifts from one of my students.

    So remember when looking for ways to thank your teachers it really is the thought that counts.

Posted by Margaret Sarver