So, I have been a preschool teacher for over 25 years now. I have taught in Christian settings and have taught for over 20 years in a home daycare/preschool setting. I have worked with amazing people over the years, but have worked for myself and by myself for the last 19 years.
The daycare/preschool I have set up in my home is a very safe and structured environment. It allows for the children to learn independently as well as learn through teacher directed activities. The ultimate goal when they leave my care is for them to be confident, happy, well-mannered, inquisitive little learners ready to start their next chapter in “big school.”
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I am blessed with wonderful daycare parents who tell me frequently how much they appreciate me and lavish me with gifts on holidays. One of the gifts I received was a gift card to one of my favorite places to eat. I was really excited to get this gift, as I would get a break from making dinner that night! As a bonus, I would not have to hear the dreaded, “What’s for dinner?” with the following exclamation, “I don’t want that!”
Well, it just so happens, the night I wanted to use the gift card was Buy 1, Get 1 Free night for all teachers at this restaurant. You just had to show an ID card from the school you teach at. That is quite a deal for teachers and their families, and I was eating for free anyway with my gift card, so I did not give it much extra thought at the time I was ordering. The cashier asked me if I was part of the teacher special going on, and I replied, “I am a preschool teacher, but I don’t get an ID card for that.”
When I got home, I laughingly told my family about the line past the doorway to order the food, which is why I was gone so long. As I sat and enjoyed my free food (thanks to a parent who appreciates the teaching I do,) I wondered why it is that businesses do not recognize preschool teachers as teachers? I can think of a book club company that I love as well that just promoted a contest to give out free books, but you had to be teaching in a brick and mortar school to apply with an ID as well. This happens a lot with other giveaways. Trust me when I say that preschool teachers use just as much of their own money for teaching supplies as “big school” teachers. Preschool kiddos are much more destructive with things as well, so replacement supplies are needed much quicker! I am wondering if companies would allow tax ID numbers for preschool/daycares to be used for such promotions? I do have one positive shout out to give to Campbell’s Labels for Education. I was allowed to send in those labels and order items from their catalog. They no longer run that program, but I was able to get a huge refill bottle of glue and a large box of 200 washable markers through that program that I am still using!
I hope that other companies start to see the value that preschool teachers bring to the community. What do you think? Do you think preschool/daycare teachers should receive the same perks as other teachers? Do you know of other companies that give perks to preschool/daycare teachers?