Why is teacher support needed?

• Teachers are the heartbeat of the school, and they shape the lives and futures of their students.
• 46% of teachers report high daily stress (tied with nurses for the most stressful occupation in America today).
• IBetween 40-50% of early career educators leave the profession within the first five years.
• Many educators left the profession during the pandemic, leaving over 1000 vacancies at the beginning of each year.

Where do we begin?

• Begin by asking the school principal how you can partner with them to show support. They know their teachers best.
• Pray for teachers in your church. Recognize them at the beginning of the school year and have a time of prayer and commissioning for the year ahead.
• Pray for administrators and staff in your local school throughout the year.

Involve your congregation

• Provide teacher names and enlist church members to write notes of appreciation and encouragement.
• Create an “angel tree” with teacher names. Have members “adopt” a teacher and send a note and small gift ($5-10) once a month. Pray for the teacher and email a note of encouragement weekly. Celebrate them on special occasions.
• Sunday School classes, small groups, or WMU can provide a basket of snacks for the teacher lounge or for teacher staff meetings after school.
• Host school events in your church building with members volunteering.

More ways to encourage

• Help set up rooms the week before school.
• Provide a meal and snacks during orientation week.
• Host meals on teacher workdays and plan to have volunteers there to visit with teachers. Order food or bring in a food truck.
• Host a coffee truck for a treat after school – or create your own coffee cart to go door to door.
• Start the year with a “survival kit” bag for each teacher (lip balm, chocolate, post-it notes…).
• Celebrate birthdays monthly with a card and special treat for all teachers/staff who had a birthday that month.
• Focus on first year teachers! Give notes of encouragement and gift cards to help set up their classroom. Volunteer in their classrooms.
• Collect school supplies for teachers, including cleaning supplies. Be sure to ask about the needs first!
• Collect school supplies for students in December. When students run out, teachers often purchase them from their own funds.
• Provide a “duty-free” lunch for teachers. This may be their favorite treat!
• Be sure to support the full staff: bus drivers, librarians, nurses, guidance counselors, social workers, food service providers, school resource officers, administrative assistants, and administration.