Especially this year. Just sayin’. This has been a year that has pushed educators to the edge, from the principal’s office all the way to the custodial crew…we have all had things added to our already full educational plates. Who are we kidding…I think we traded in plates for platters becasue that’s what educators do. We make it work. We find a way. We do the work and we educate the kids. And sometimes the parents.
This year, in addition to the design and delivery of instruction, assessment and data analysis, differentiated instruction and MTSS groupings, collaboration and professional development, parent conferences, and committee meetings…to name a few… we added this huge technology component to educator plates….as in teach virtually, learn new platforms, new strategies to keep kids engaged, ensure that kids get enough instructional time, get accurate and reliable assessment results, all virtually. Ladies and gentlemen….In case you were not aware…Educators are superheros!
And here we are, teacher (and staff) appreciation week. Schools across the country are celebrating their instructional staff, deservedly so.
As an educator, I know that it is the little things that make a big difference to a teacher. As the principal, I always try to do a little something here and there over the course of the year to remind teachers and staff that they are valued and appreciated, silly things like ‘Bugs and kisses’ at Halloween, and ‘gold nuggets’ in March. Some years I rock it, and other years well….hit and miss. This year was hit and miss. In my defense, I also traded in a plate for a platter.
I did make it a point of doing daily treats for my people during staff appreciation week, and at the risk of giving away the last two days of treats this week, I am putting these ideas out there for other people to spread the appreciation wealth. Just don’t say anything to my people so they are still surprised 🙂
My Minute maid lemonade and lemon zest flavored Luna Bar treat bags could have been cuter…in the decoration department, this wasn’t my best effort. I used cellophane treat bags, tulle bows to top it off, and…becasue I had not cutesefied the tags when I did these, I just taped them to the bag. If I didn’t have so much on my platter…it would have been a cute ribbon.
This was the easiest of the bunch! I made sure to get sweet crispy ambrosia apples and not the ordinary fuji or gala the cafeteria serves. I used the same cellophane treat bags and topped them with red tulle and red and white bakers twine that I attached the tag to. To make it easy, the tags can be easily punched out with with a 2.5 inch craft punch.
Because many of the ladies (and gents) that work in my building have been making careful food choices, I tried hard to keep my treats healthy for them. In previous years there were cookies and candies galore, but I think we are all fighting the quarantine 15….at least I am. I digress. So, RX bars are some of my favorite snacks when I am trying to be conscientious of my diet. They are low sodium and high protien, and yummy. This was an easy, cut and tape treat!
Again with my healthy theme, the V8 energy drinks are refreshing and delicious, and the perfect afternoon pick me up. It has less caffiene than a cup of coffee with caffiene derived from green tea. Paired with peanut free Orchard Valley Cranberry, Almond and Cashew Trail Mix, they fit perfectly in a cellophane bag, with you guessed it…my favorite tulle topper and the 2.5 inch round tag.
While these things are tokens of appreciation, our school staff have gone above and beyond this year and more than ever deserve our gratitude for the work they do.
