The Five Love Languages is a popular book by Gary Chapman that describes the ways in which people receive and express love. Well, it also could be used to show how to express appreciation for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week!
Gibbs Elementary PTO and the community reached out in all Five Love Languages to the teaching staff last week each day of teacher recognition. Daily drawings and daily treats from multiple donors gave teachers an all-embracing demonstration of gratitude.
The PTO started the week with Words of Affirmation by placing a huge acknowledgement sign in the yard welcoming the teachers to a week of the same.
Donations from Wonder Works, Muse Knoxville, Twisters Diner, Emily Roberts and Great Escape made the day for several teachers’ Quality Time.
If the love language was Gifts, then Wren Coffee, H & S Vinyl, Angel Grace Creations, Bark Box, Girl Scouts, Casey Morris, Melts with Misty, Trixie’s Boutique, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shelley Stone, and Mexican Melts hit almost everyone’s love language, and every teacher got a box of Girl Scout Cookies which to me might count as Quality Time too.
Several community members served the entire staff for treats, coffee, or meals which indeed comes under the language of Acts of Service: Sleepy Dog Coffee, Charles Pratt with Modern Woodmen, Fairview Knox Church, Corryton Church, Beaver Dam Baptist, and Salem Baptist Church contributed.
No doubt the fifth language of Physical Touch was a part of everyday with hugs and high fives from kids, teachers and community members.
Teacher appreciation is essential to creating a positive school culture, supporting teacher morale and ultimately improving teacher retention, a national issue.
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