Do you have ideas for a "teacher of the month" prize?

Question

I work at a small, private, religious day care. In an effort to raise staff morale and recognize some good teachers, we are starting a "teacher of the month" program. All the staff will vote on the winner. I would like some suggestions for the rewards. Please keep in mind that we do not have a lot of money to pour into this. It also has to be something that is sustainable for the rest of the year. If you are a preschool teacher, what would you like to receive?

Answer 1

A massage, a gift card, a paid day off, a good parking spot. Just a few ideas off the top of my head.

Answer 2

a gift card to a restaurant - that's only $25

Answer 3

A small plaque recognizing the teacher. I used to get them and save them when I was a teacher. I didn't think much about them. Now that I am retired, I treasure them. I have them up on the walls. Each one has a positive association of my teaching career.  Also announce it to the whole school and the community. Make it a special day for the teacher. Before school take her a small snack, or at lunch. The teachers will appreciate this and their performance will improve. We all like warm fuzzies. This does not cost a lot of money.  Appreciation and acceptance is priceless.

Answer 4

Teacher should be model to the child.

Answer 5

Gift card to a local teachers/education store.

Make them a homemade baked treat of their choice: muffins, loaf of bread, cookies.

Feature them in your newsletter to families and interview them.

Put their picture up somewhere that all of your families and staff will see it.

Give them half a day off (with no loss of pay).

If you have a little more money, a gift card to a spa for a manicure/massage/facial.

The other thing to consider is what do your parents have access to. Can they donate a service or an item? Do they manage a restaurant, work in a salon, etc.? Ask them if they'd be willing to donate something and then you can make it a rotating, surprise gift.

Answer 6

A book or a set of manipulatives.  Teachers always love new things for the classroom.

Answer 7

Print some type of a certificate on the computer that says teacher of the month and give one day off with pay.  Friday or Monday would be good so that the teacher could have a long week end!  I am a preschool teacher and I would REALLY enjoy a day off with pay!

Answer 8

A 10 dollar restaurant gift card, you can get the one's at walmart that are for several different restaurants.

Answer 9

a big card signed by all the teachers and the kids.. not sure how young the kids are though.. if they are a bit older, maybe a card made by them.

Answer 10

get like a coffee mug that has like 1+2+3 on the side as like a saying and put like $20 to staples and put a few pencils. All of this is in the mug then wrap the mug in like see through foil.