School shootings can make us feel so helpless.  In the wake of the horrific Florida school shooting, the problems can often seem too large and complicated to surmount.  But there are tangible things we can each be doing to shape this world, and one of those is to thank a teacher.

This is not a political post.  This is a post about appreciating those who most keenly feel the weight of school shootings on their shoulders – the teachers.  Will you take ten minutes with me today to give them words of encouragement and gratitude?

Teacher Thank You Note After Shooting

Write to your child’s teacher, an old teacher of yours, or a friend or family member who is a teacher.  Grab a card and write what you most appreciate about him or her.   My children are in preschool, so my letter will look different than one for a high school teacher.

You’re welcome to borrow as much or as little of my letter as you’d like!  The point is for teachers to realize we see them and appreciate them, even on the hard, dark days after a school shooting.

Here’s the full text of my card…

Dear ______,

Thank you for being an amazing teacher. Thank you for teaching ____ while also loving on him/her and creating a fun learning environment. He/she loves coming to school, and I know that is thanks to you.

In light of recent events, I also wanted to say thank you for keeping my child safe. I know teachers feel that weight on their shoulders after every school shooting that’s in the news, and it means so much to me that you would protect my child in a situation like that. It’s hard to send my kids to school the day after an event like that, but knowing you’re in the classroom with him/her makes it easier.

Thank you for all you do for my child and the class – both the seen and the unseen. The world is a better place because of teachers like you.

Teacher Thank You Note After Shooting – Write One Today!

Won’t you join me in writing at least one teacher thank you note?  Encourage a teacher who feels the burden of all of his or her duties, including protecting our children in the event of a school shooting.  Be the positive change you want to see in the world.

P.S. Here are some other teacher appreciation ideas: fingerprint teacher gift, a summer goody bag gift, and a photo collage gift.