Practical Ways to Support Your Student’s Teacher All Year Long
I cannot tell you the number of coffee mugs and notepads I have received through the years.
THIS cup would have been a fave!
I am not sure where the gift-giving tradition for teachers started. I don’t remember my mother preparing small gifts for my classroom teachers as a means of appreciation for their hard work. Maybe it was because she was a teacher herself, or maybe it wasn’t a thing back then, or more than likely, I was unaware of those things because I was too busy practicing the piano and playing outside with friends.
As a mom, we know what it is like to care for children on a daily basis—playing referee, the occasional entertainer, cheerleader, disciplinarian, and teaching them the basics of everyday life—so we fully understand the load a teacher carries doing all of the above with a classroom of at least twenty-two. And all of this while trying to guide them through sentence construction, proper placement of apostrophes, a quadratic equation, even the appropriate use of a trash can.
Teachers are invaluable (understatement of the year).
Everyone remembers that special teacher!
Our children, whether in public or private school, spend more time awake with their teachers during the school year than they do at home with family. As parents, showing our gratitude in small ways during Teacher Appreciation Week (at an absolute minimum) brings a lot of opportunities to grab that much-loved ‘favorites’ list put together by a classroom mom and put it to good use.
It’s the least we can do.
But what do teachers really want? Do they want a tangible, physical gift, or would they prefer classroom help during the course of the year they have your student?
Every school and district have different protocols about classroom help—what’s allowed or frowned upon—but when it comes to helping our beloved classroom teachers, the school budget usually takes what it can get. And the bonus for parents is, we get to know the vibe of the school, the children in our kid’s classroom, and what their day actually looks like, instead of a blank stare after school on the way home when we ask how their day was, and they say, “fine.”
As the child of two educators, a certified secondary language teacher and former preschool classroom employee of fourteen years and a mom whose kids were in public school for twenty-one plus years, here are my TOP FIVE WAYS to have a H.E.A.R.T. for your student’s teacher by showing gratitude and helping them throughout the year:
H.E.A.R.T. - Practical Ways to Support Your Student’s Teacher All Year Long
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV
1) HELP WITH PURPOSE
Offer to prep classroom materials—take home items to cut, laminate, or staple.
Volunteer to assemble booklets or folders—especially for younger grades, this is a huge help.
Make copies—a quick and easy way to save your teacher time.
Help tidy up—offer to come in once a month to clean desks, wipe down surfaces, or sanitize supplies—especially helpful during cold & flu season.
Arrive on time for conferences—it shows respect for their schedule and the other families waiting.
Stick to the topic—focus on your student during the meeting so the teacher can stay on schedule.
Limit non-essential emails—keep communication clear and concise. Save in-person conversations for important topics.
2) EMPOWER INDEPENDENCE
As our kids grow older and start learning time management and personal responsibility, here’s a hard-but-valuable truth for us as parents:
Help them plan their time—encourage them to block out time for homework or projects when needed. Offer guidance, especially if they’re still developing these skills.
Resist the urge to rescue—if they forget, procrastinate, or overschedule themselves, let the natural consequences play out. (Trust me—I’ve learned this one the hard way.)
Avoid placing blame on the teacher—if the grade wasn’t great or the outcome was uncomfortable, it might not be the teacher’s fault. It may be due to our child’s choices, activities, or avoidance.
Let them own it—when students take responsibility for their actions, they begin to understand cause and effect. It also pushes them to make wiser, more thoughtful decisions next time.
Never underestimate the power of a simple “thank you.” A sincere note from a student or parent can be something they keep forever—especially on tough days.
3) ACKNOWEDGE WITH APPRECIATION
When it comes to showing appreciation, most teachers light up over three simple things:
A Thoughtful Gift- Whether it’s a gift card (Target, Starbucks, Amazon), office supplies, or even a Teacher Pay Teachers gift card, (just a link, not an affiliate) a little something goes a long way.
A Favorite Snack or Surprise Lunch -This is where that magical teacher favorites list really comes in handy. Pick up their go-to drink or drop off their favorite lunch—it’s a small gesture with a big impact.
A Handwritten, Heartfelt Note-Never underestimate the power of a simple “thank you.” A sincere note from a student or parent can be something they keep forever—especially on tough days.
Taking care of our kids is a hard, emotional, often underpaid, and sometimes thankless job. A little appreciation reminds them they’re seen and valued.
✨ P.S. Want a list of tried-and-true gift ideas teachers actually love? You can grab my favorites list HERE* .
4) RESPOND WITH INVOLVMENT
Stay in the Loop—and Help Your Student Stay on Track.
Your child’s teacher is your partner in their education, and there are easy ways to support that partnership:
Read the Emails and Notes They Send Home- Yep—those weekly updates, classroom newsletters, and reminders are gold. They’re packed with the info you need to help your child stay on top of assignments, projects, and expectations. (Check their backpack for important papers stuffed at the bottom)
Create a Weekly Check-In - Try setting aside a few minutes every Monday after school to talk through what’s coming up that week. Ask your student:
What’s due?
What are you excited about?
What do you not understand yet? or where do you need help?
Preload the school calendar into your calendar app on your phone - This helps with scheduling appointments, trips, etc, maximizing your family time while limiting disruptions to the educational rhythms.
These simple steps help:
Keep you in the loop
Encourage your child to take ownership
Support the teacher’s classroom goals
When parents and teachers work together, students grow in both independence and confidence—and that’s the real win.
Whether you’re supporting a Specials teacher, Office Staff, Speech Pathologist, Occupation Therapist, School Counselor or Classroom Teacher, they are just like you!
5) TALK TO GOD ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER
The Most Powerful Way to Support Your Child’s Teacher? Pray.
Amid all the to-dos, sign-ups, snacks, and schedules, don’t forget the most impactful thing you can do for your child’s classroom:
Pray for your child’s teacher—for wisdom, strength, patience, and encouragement.
Pray for the students—that they would be kind, focused, and safe.
Pray for your child—that they would grow in character, responsibility, and faith.
Pray for the school—for protection and peace in every hallway and the leadership that guides their environment
Covering your child’s teacher in regular prayer is the highest form of support you can give—even if they never know you’re doing it. It strengthens your heart, invites God into the details, and reminds you that you're not in this school year alone.
By embracing these simple yet powerful ways to support our children’s teachers, we not only lighten their load but also help our kids thrive—and that makes the entire school year richer for everyone involved.
“The prayer of a righteous person, is powerful and effective.”
For more on back to school challenges for moms, Check out the DRIVE THRU MOMS PODCAST, Episode 75 on priorities - first things first. Thanks for stopping by! You’ve been prayed for!
*I receive a small commission for purchases from my compiled list, but it does not cost you anything.