Jump ropes belong on the playground. Use your inside voices. No flying paper airplanes during class! It’s no secret that the teachers in our lives willfully take on a lot of responsibilities. They do not do it for the paycheck, nor do they do it for the praise. Although we all know they are more deserving of the credit they are given.Their passionate dedication to educate us, encourage us and shape us into the people we become is immeasurable.

There are a few ways to show appreciation for the teachers in your life:

Write a Letter of Appreciation

Maybe there was a time that your teacher helped with a particular problem or inspired you to tackle a difficult task? Or maybe you learned something new in their class that you know you won’t forget? You can even make a list or a short “thank you” note.

Make a Scrapbook

Design your own book using drawings and photos collected throughout the year. Then you can fill it with questionnaires and thank you notes from you and your classmates.

Donate to the Classroom

Teachers often purchase supplies for their own classroom with their own money. This list includes anything from everyday items such as writing utensils (markers, pens, pencils), paper, glue and scissors to cleaning supplies like napkins, and items that are used by everyone like tissues. Sometimes teachers will even accept gently used books for everyone to use throughout the year. A lot of the time students donate at the beginning of the school year and the supplies quickly run out soon after, so ask your teacher throughout the year if there is anything the classroom could use and consider donating it.

You could do one of these things or all of the above and give the gift of theater! Invite them to see Miss Nelson is Missing! at the Orlando Shakes.

Miss Nelson is a very patient, kind teacher and her students don’t realize just how great she is until one day she suddenly disappears. What’s more scary than your beloved teacher missing? What if in her place was the “meanest substitute teacher in the whole world”? And with the Big Test coming up, Miss Nelson’s students will go to great lengths to solve this mystery and bring their teacher back.

Based on the books, Miss Nelson is Missing and Miss Nelson is Back by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall, the musical Miss Nelson is Missing! is a delight for family, friends, students and especially teachers.