Teachers are invaluable assets to our children’s future, yet they are facing burnout at alarming rates. To support the educators in our lives, consider these five approaches:

1) Acknowledge their hard work with a simple thank you or a note of appreciation.

Shooting your child’s teacher a quick email recognizing something small yet meaningful that they did can help to make them feel more connected and appreciated. Leaving quick notes on HW or behavior charts can also serve to make teachers feel seen and acknowledged for the extra work they put in for their students.

2) Volunteer in the classroom or at school events to alleviate their workload.

If you have the ability to get involved in your child’s school, I encourage you to do so. Volunteering and seeing the happenings of a school from the inside out is the best way to not only be informed about different school events, curriculums, and topics of learning, but also serves to connect school staff, teachers and families when it matters the most.

3) Provide classroom supplies to ease their out-of-pocket expenses.

Lets face it. Teacher’s are undervalued and underpaid. Often schools lack the resources to provide each teacher with the funding they need to purchase additional materials for the classroom. What happens when the markers dry up? What happens when the kids get bored of the toys for indoor recess? You can bet that classroom teachers are picking up the slack with their own personal money. Usually teachers are able to request some support for supplies at the beginning of the year through wish lists. If you can, this is a great time to support. Also consider checking in with them throughout the year to see if there is anything they might need for the kids. They may even be able to borrow learning toys or games that you have around the house!

4) Be proactive in communication, addressing concerns early on.

The best parent-teacher experiences happen when open communication is fostered right from the start. Communication goes both ways, and teachers appreciate knowing about concerns, even if they seem minimal, so they can be on top of any changes and can report related concerns back home.

5) Advocate for teacher-supportive policies.

Show up at school board meetings or community gatherings to ensure their well-being is being prioritized by those in decision-making positions. Simply standing up and recognizing that teachers need more support can go a long way in making teachers feel in partnership with the parents and caregivers that make up their school community.