COUPON QUEEN: Show appreciation to educators with gifts

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, I can guarantee you that I'm just as excited as my boys. I love them being home as we try to pack in as much summer fun as possible. As school is ending, I'm amazed by the growth in my boys this year. We, as parents, owe so much to the teachers, staff and school administrators who have worked tirelessly to challenge our students and prepare them for the future. If you want to show appreciation for the teachers in our kids' lives, I have some ideas for you that may work. Of course, end-of-the-year gifts aren't obligatory, but are definitely appreciated. Here are a couple that can make a significant impact, even if your budget is small. No budget gifts Listen, I get it. We've all had months when funds are a bit short. If you are having a financial strain but still want to make your child's teachers feel special, here are two easy things to do. The first idea is to send a heartfelt note or card. Jot down a few simple thoughts or a few words of encouragement. I'm sure it's been a long school year for them too. Personalize it by writing ways they have helped your child overcome a particular struggle or highlighting a time they went out of their way and made an impact. If you want to be creative, try tapping a video message from the kids and emailing it. Younger kids may really enjoy doing this. Another idea is to let others know how fantastic your teacher is. Send a letter to the building principal or administrator telling them they have been a great teacher and list specific ways they have gone above and beyond. Sadly, school personnel often only hear from parents when something has gone wrong, so it can be a delight to listen to how the teachers and district are appreciated. Practical gifts A few years ago, I learned about a website called Teachers Pay Teachers. This website is an online marketplace for buying and selling educator resources. Teachers create lesson plans and activities to sell to other teachers to supplement their plans. This website is well-used in the education field, especially among the elementary grades. When my boys were younger, I often bought their teachers a gift card online and printed it at home. Another practical gift idea is classroom supplies. While it's not a glamorous gift, teachers pay for many classroom items out of their own pocket, so helping them restock can be very helpful. If you aren't sure what they need, just ask for a few ideas. Gifts for everyone Gift card amounts can fit just about any budget. If you choose a well-known store such as Walmart or Target, your teacher may get more use out of it. If you know them a bit better, grab a gift card to their favorite coffee shop or bookstore. You can also treat them to their favorite restaurant or grab a gift card to a sporting goods store for a teacher who loves professional sports. Giving a gift card that matches their personality can make the gift feel more personable. As the school year ends, let's thank our school staff, administrators, lunch monitors, and janitors for a well-done job. Let's not keep it to ourselves; let those around you know how thankful you are for doing one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Tune in every Tuesday at 8:40 a.m. on AM 930 WEOL or 100.3 FM to hear me chat about money-saving tips. You can listen online or on the radio. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at Giant Eagle through Wednesday. Bananas — 39 cents per pound. Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.