Hi. My name is Jessica and I am a former burnt-out teacher. A middle school (I know) health (I KNOW) teacher. I got into it as a career change in 2015 and got my master’s and everything (hello, student loan ball and chain!). Quitting the profession last year was one of the best possible things I could’ve ever done for my physical and mental health.

Speaking from experience, I can say teacher burnout is REAL. And it’s terrible. Wanting so badly to make a difference, having a caring heart, a creative mind, and a bubbly personality only to be met with roadblocks and difficulties at every turn, from unsupportive administration to absent parents to atrocious student behavior to a growing workload (loaded with ridiculous acronyms to boot) that actually take away from teaching in the classroom (wild, right?). It’s no wonder good teachers are leaving the profession in higher numbers than ever before.

According to Chalkbeat, even though a lot of states don’t track exits from the profession (and neither do many states), last year in the states they could track, they found a severe jump in teachers cleaning out their classrooms for good. In all cases, turnover was at its highest point in five years. In North Carolina, for example, the state hired fewer teachers last year than it lost, suggesting that some positions were eliminated or left vacant or entire classes or programs were abandoned (an increasingly common problem in schools, believe it or not). 

Bottom line: Teaching is one of the most underpaid and overworked professions in the U.S. And if you know someone who is a teacher, you’ve probably been on the receiving end of frustration, tears, and horror stories, leaving you looking a little like the wide-eyed emoji. Classroom teachers need our true support (not another mug with apples on it, cheesy puns, or literal garbage). Here’s how you can support them for Teacher Appreciation Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, and every day and week in between.

The best ways to support teachers

1. Donate and volunteer

Katie Priest, a high school special education teacher in Virginia, says that the best way to support teachers is both inside and outside the classroom.

“Teachers spend so much of their own money and time working to help their students,” she says. “Donate supplies if you can, substitute if you can, volunteer if you can.”

In the community, speak kindly about teachers, adds Priest. “We are being tasked with unimaginable amounts of work and lack the appropriate resources to do our jobs,” she says. “The last thing we need is people from the community bashing us. We need community support now more than ever. Be kind to our teachers, support them, and uplift them.”

2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T (and vote!)

“I think the best way for parents to support teachers is to raise their children to be respectful humans,” says Maria Caudill, an elementary/middle school teacher with Chicago Public Schools. “Show your children that you support teachers and value education, and they will too.”

For people without children, vote for candidates who want to fund education, adds Caudill. “We all benefit from a highly educated society,” she says. “Speak up for funding schools properly. Pro-education politics is a fight we need everyone to fight!”

3. Kind messages and small tokens of appreciation

Getting involved in your school district’s PTA and helping to orchestrate events and treats for your school’s teachers throughout the year is an easy way to show your support and appreciation. 

Sarah, a middle school teacher in Massachusetts, says taking a couple of minutes at home to help your child write a thank you note can go a long way in the classroom too.

“We don’t expect to be thanked for our service — like any other professional, we do our jobs,” she says. “But it’s also nice to get appreciation when it does come and is deserved. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but a little recognition for the many hours we work to make their child’s learning and school experiences positive is appreciated.” 

Another idea? Maybe sending along a little extra something like a treat for the class, fun classroom supplies, or a Target or Amazon gift card. Not only will you be shifting the energy in the classroom from afar to be more positive, but by making the teacher’s day, you’re helping the students too through these small acts of kindness.

Tiana Stephens, a teacher in River Grove, Ill., says small gifts and kind words go a long way throughout the year (and not just during Teacher Appreciation Week).

“The best ways to support teachers are communication, follow-through, speaking appreciation for the work we do…and maybe a small gift here or there (Starbucks gift cards would rock),” she says. 

Sari Pina, a STEM teacher in the Chicago suburbs, agrees, and says surprising teachers throughout the year with kind messages and special treats are important for uplifting educators and brightening their days.

“Asking if teachers would like volunteers to help in their classrooms or having parents sponsor an activity for the kids [would be helpful],” she says. “ Or sponsoring a self-care day where teachers could do something fun or relaxing during their plan periods,” she says. 

Local business owners can get involved too, offering teachers in their town discounts or a free service like a massage, manicure, or facial while promoting and showcasing their business. It’s a win-win as it lessens stress, builds awareness, and connects members of the community together.

4. Meaningful parent involvement and community connection 

Karina Arroyo, a 6th-grade teacher in Franklin Park, Ill., says what teachers really need during Teacher Appreciation Week is for parents to realize that “what we do matters.” 

“We know their kids, we know their likes, dislikes, and sometimes we provide more than what they have in their own homes,” she says. ”School can be their safety net. If parents are on our team, that makes all the difference.”

So go to the back-to-school night, show up at schoolwide events like concerts, performances, and sports games, and make those connections with your children’s teacher. It separates you from the (many) parents who aren’t involved and makes the connection in the classroom even stronger. 

Take it from Priest: If we don’t band together and support our teachers more, we’re only hurting ourselves. An investment in our teachers is an investment in our communities as a whole. 

“Teachers hold one of the most important jobs in the world,” says Priest. “They are leaving the profession in droves due to unfair working conditions, low pay, and a lack of support from communities. There are no teachers waiting in the wings to step in.” 

Tips for teachers

For teachers who are feeling less than appreciated these days, connecting with other educators or resources like @teachercareercoach or @ambitiousvibe on Instagram and TikTok can help you re-think your goals as an educator and may nudge you to reevaluate your career or even pivot to a completely different one. For those who simply want to better their days, self-care is number one. Don’t roll your eyes just yet (I’ve been to those PD sessions too); here are some realistic tips to get started:

1. Move and chill: Make sure you’re getting adequate exercise and practicing stress management techniques daily. Keep a yoga mat and sneakers under your desk and turn on a PopSugar workout during a prep (tape a cute sign on your door so nobody interrupts and lock it too). Better yet, leave the building and take a walk around the block. I even had a co-worker who bought one of those under-the-desk treadmills and got so many steps in throughout the school day. Apps like Calm are free for educators, so take advantage. I used to do a guided meditation with my students before every class period which helped all of us throughout our class periods (I used Calm Classroom). Keep an essential oil diffuser at your desk (the kids love these too) and have a variety of stress toys available for you and your students to use.
2. Don’t eat on-the-go: Make time for your meals. Sit down, bring actual silverware and dishes to school, and eat food that excites and nourishes you. Stressful or rushed eating throws your digestion into a tizzy and will make your day worse (I know; I have stress-eaten everything from bowls of cereal while behind the wheel to inhaling turkey jerky on the playground. Not my finest hours). Keep a small cosmetic fridge in your classroom (throw a tablecloth over it, I won’t tell) and fill it with adaptogenic drinks, yogurts, and fruit. Meal prep when you have time at home or use a service like Blue Apron, Marley Spoon, or Hello Fresh which offer teacher discounts on their meal boxes if you’re short on that precious free time.
3. Get a therapist: Instead of dumping on a spouse, family member, or friend, use your (amazing) health insurance to find the best therapist you can for weekly support and guidance. Some telehealth sessions can even be completed at your desk during your lunch break or after school. 
4. Use it before you lose it: Your insurance, that is. Use it for all it’s worth. You have some of the best insurance around, so take advantage while you have it and see if things like massages, chiropractors, naturopaths, and acupuncture sessions are covered. Being able to take control of your physical and mental health is easier and more successful when you have the resources to do so.
5. Find the fun: Try to find the fun in every day whether that’s your favorite latte on the way to work, a midday TJMaxx run for a pretty candle, a bubble machine in your classroom (guilty), school-appropriate music playing while you and your students work, or a game day where you forgo the curriculum and connect with your students in a different way together. Surrounding yourself with fun things amps up your energy and makes your classroom a happy place for both you and your students.