A Great Way To Bless Your Child's Teacher

I think we can all attest to the fact that teachers work hard....very hard.  The whole "must-be-nice-to-have-3-months-vacation" attitude is looooooong gone.  After being a teacher myself for nearly 10 years I know all-to-well the blood, sweat, and tears teachers pour into their classrooms and their students.

As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to support my children's teachers in every way I can.  One way I do this is by providing a meal for each teacher once a month.  This idea was given to me by my amazing friend Sandy, who authored the book The Reluctant Entertainer.  If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.  I do not consider myself "recluctant" in the entertainment realm (in fact, we love to entertain in our home)....but this book gave me so many fresh perspectives on how food and hospitality can bring people together.

On to how I use meals to bless my children's teachers....

At the beginning of each school year I contact their teachers and explain what I would like to do.  I make sure that I explain to them that I would love to do this only if it will be helpful to them (I can assure you that I've never had a teacher turn me down, but I never want to assume anything)!  Ha!

I then try to coordinate a day (for example, the 2nd Tuesday of the month) that works for both teachers.  I often ask them if there is a day of the week that is hectic for them (maybe a day with meetings?  practices?) and try to shoot for that day.  I also make sure to ask if anyone has food allergies or taste preferences in the family (last year one of the teachers husband didn't care for garlic.  I tried to really take that in consideration while cooking for them so that the WHOLE family could enjoy the meal, and her teacher wasn't making other food on top of what I made).  

After we set up the day, confirmed any allergies, and taste preferences I just mark my calendar and do a rough draft of the meals I will provide each month.  Here are some ideas of meals I have made in the past...

Various Pasta Dishes (baked spaghetti, lasagna, gulash, etc)

Baked Enchiladas

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (great for the cold winter months)

Casseroles

I try to stick to things that everyone will like, but I also try to occasionally include something different.  Last year I made Sausage and Pumpkin pasta in the fall.  I wasn't sure how it would go over, but it was a hit!

I include extras (salad, bread, etc) with the meals that would be enhanced by it.  I also add dessert occasionally, but not every month.  I pick one month that I provide a ready-to-bake pizza (purchased from a local eatery), as well as one month that I provide a gift card to a restaurant.  To be completely honest, I often use these two ideas on the months that I am crazy busy (for example, spring break time).

When I cook I will often triple the recipe so that I make one batch of Eva's teacher, one of Jaden's, and then one for our family.  It makes it easier if our family just eats the same thing that night so I can get 3 meals done and only dirty the kitchen once!  Ha!

On the day that the meal is delivered we simply put it in the teachers lounge fridge with the teachers name on it.  She can pick it up before she heads home for the night.  It makes it simple for everyone.  If I am being completely honest, I also handle it this way because I am afraid that handing the meal directly to the teacher puts her in a position where she may feel she needs to lavish thanks on us.  I never want her to feel that way.  I do this because I love to and I have no desire to receive credit in any way.  I simply want to help.

I have done this for 3 years now and it has become a special part to our school year.  Eva and Jaden's teachers pour so much time, energy, and love into their lives....this is just a simple way to give back.

"In a world full of people who couldn't care less...be someone who couldn't care more"

--Unknown