5 Innovative Ways to Thank a Teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week

This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5– 9 with National Teacher's Day on May 6, 2014. These are days to honor our teachers and recognize the lasting contributions they make in our lives. From apples to flowers, teachers have been thanked in many ways over the years. Student Loan Peace offers up 5 innovative ways to say thank you, 21st century style.

1. Stream it. Have your child express words of thanks in a YouTube video. Post it on your school's Facebook page.

2. Personalize it. Look for ways to personalize gifts at Walmart.com and other retailers, offering everything from customizable coffee mugs to phone and tablet cases. How about printing your math teacher's favorite formula on a phone case, or an English teacher's favorite verse on a coffee mug?

3. Crowd-source it. Make a private Facebook page for your child's teacher. Invite everyone in the class (children and parents) to write comments, post artwork and pictures. Send your teacher a link on National Teacher's Day.

4. eBooks or Print. Let's face it: teachers love books. But these days, it's hard to know whether to go print or digital. Giving an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift certificate allows a teacher to choose. Android and iOS device support Kindle (Amazon) and Nook (B&N) apps.

5. Pay it forward. Inspiring students to use their skills and talents to make the world a better place is a calling for many in the teaching profession. Let your teacher know how you and your kids are paying it forward.

Source: Bright Horizons Financial Services

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