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For National Teacher Appreciation day, English teacher, Andrea Donaghe, sets up a ‘Tree of Appreciation’ in the hallway, May 8.

In her classes, Donaghe gives students the opportunity to write kind words of encouragement for their teachers. The notes are placed on the tree for teachers and students to see as they walk by. 

Donaghe feels as if the activity provides encouragement to both teachers and students.

“Looking at the calendar, I saw that Teacher Appreciation Day would be on Tuesday,” Donaghe said. “I wanted to do something that would allow my students to show appreciation for their teachers. So, last week I had students fill out the apples in their English classes. Without telling my students about the tree, I came in on Sunday and put it up in the hallway, where I knew everyone would see it. It was amazing to count over 100 apples of appreciation written by students. Teachers are just as tired and need encouragement like our student do this time of year. These apples provide that boost in moral we each need in these final weeks and allow us to see we are appreciated. This project was two-fold, it served as a means of encouragement to teachers and it gave students the opportunity to think about someone else and write out an ‘old-fashioned’ thank-you. Students filled out multiple apples and took the time to write a message to a teacher that they perhaps would not thank face-to-face. ”

The tree will remain in the downstairs hallway of building 6 for the next week, be sure to stop by and see the compliments that students left for their teachers.