A teacher exists to helps others acquire knowledge, improve competency and improve their values. They are regarded highly as our first educator and also a custodian of wisdom. I’m sure we can all feel a great feeling of thanks to the teachers that have come into our lives in some form or another. Without them, we would never reach the milestones that have been placed throughout our lives. Besides that, parents are also our teachers. They taught us how to walk, eat, talk, and most importantly, taught us to be a good and decent human being in this world. Everywhere you look, there teachers around us.
In conjunction with Teacher’s Day on May 16th, let’s appreciate all the educators around us on some of the things you can do!
Thank you
A simple thank you goes a long way and best part is, it’s free! It’s always a breath of fresh air when you compliment your teacher on all their efforts to educate us. Share words of encouragement with your teacher by telling her how much you appreciate her hard work and dedication. Try to be specific when you compliment so it doesn’t feel like you’re just throwing in empty words. For example “thank you, teacher, for always being patient with me and getting me to understand the subject”. Truly, a simple thank you from you can go a long way for our teachers.
Cards
If you’re not an outspoken individual, how about going old school and write your deepest appreciation towards your teacher? Sit down and take the time to put all your positive feelings towards your teacher into a thoughtful letter. Plus, letters can be kept for a good amount of time. So, this would be the perfect gift for your teacher.
Decorate The Classroom
What’s better than throwing a good surprise for your teacher by decorating the whole classroom with your friends? Break out that artistic side in you and take those coloured paper, glitter and just go crazy with the appreciation decoration. Be sure to keep the decorations age appropriate and non-offensive, as it represents your class. Of course, before you start anything, make sure to ask permission from higher authority to give you the green card to proceed further.
Organize a Play
This needs the participation of your friends as much as you can. Everyone should come together and use their powerful imagination to create something beautiful for their teacher. It could be a play about the fun personality of your teacher, students apology for their misbehaviour in the past or even just an appreciation of teachers in general. Be sure to leave tissue right beside your teacher, it’s definitely going to be a real tear-jerker for them.
Volunteer in Class
It could be from a simple participating in class, prepping for a class party, or even just helping your teacher in maintaining the cleanliness of the classroom. As the term goes, action speaks louder than words, so it’s not that difficult to help your teacher once in awhile after all the hard work they put into bringing us up to be academically and morally correct.
Gift
It doesn’t cost much of money to chip in with your friends and get a special gift for your teacher. Who doesn’t love pretty flowers? It can spruce up a teacher’s desk and give her something other than brightly coloured billboards to look at. Besides that, you can buy the teacher their favourite meal or treat the special one to do their favourite things.
With all the teachers in our lives, it is always important to keep in mind of the perseverance and efforts our educators have done. It wouldn’t hurt to show them an appreciation every now and then.
Fun Facts About Teacher’s Day
Bet you don’t know this information about Teacher’s Day
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 7. However, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on different dates by different countries.
Teacher’s Day was first raised in 1931 in China. Prestigious educators of the time, Tai Shuangqiu (1897-1976) and Cheng Qibao (1895-1975) together set June 6 as the special date in a bid to improve living conditions, provide teachers with protection and promote training.
Chinese teachers usually have a half day off to relax. Meanwhile, both schools and students prepare flowers and gifts for them.
Australia celebrates Teacher’s Day on the last Friday in October. Teachers usually receive gifts from their student. However, if the gift is expensive, the teacher needs to pay for it or else it might come under scrutiny from the country’s Commision Against Corruption.
In India, highly respected teachers are usually given small crystal Taj Mahal replicas on Teacher’s Appreciation Day. The holiday is observed on September 5th every year. It is also the birthday of the former president of Indian who championed education in the country.
In Argentina, Teachers Appreciation Day is observed on September 11th. The date was set to honour the 7th President of Argentina, who stood up for education in the country. He passed away on Sept. 11th, 1888.
In Malaysia, there are 38 international schools (American, Australian and British styled) and 12 expatriate schools which include French, German, Japanese and Taiwanese schools. These schools have facilities for students from pre-school to upper secondary levels.
A survey of teachers revealed that they have enough mugs, frames, and stuffed animals. They appreciate a gift card to places like Staples or Starbucks—or, even better, a thank you note.
We at 2CENTS would love to wish everyone to keep the educating spirit up and Happy Teacher’s Day to all.