ADVERTISEMENT

An educator's job is often demanding, stressful, and overwhelming. This year, only 34% of the teachers in the U.S. said they were satisfied with their jobs. The pressure is real. They are responsible for shaping the minds of the future generation, after all.

So, since the new school year is already upon us, let's show our teachers some appreciation with this list of wholesome interactions between them and the parents of the children they teach. It's like the Dalai Lama said: "When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts."

#1

When I Dropped My Son Off At School, He Noticed A Girl In Line And Said, "That Girl Looks Cold." He Got Out Of The Car And Was Off. Later, I Got This Message From His Teacher

When I Dropped My Son Off At School, He Noticed A Girl In Line And Said, "That Girl Looks Cold." He Got Out Of The Car And Was Off. Later, I Got This Message From His Teacher

dipndap Report

RELATED:
    #2

    A Teacher Sent This Out And I Love It. Thoughts?

    A Teacher Sent This Out And I Love It. Thoughts?

    ChrisRamsey60 Report

    #3

    I’m A Teacher. Today A Child Gave Me Toy Replicas Of My Dogs That His Mom Had Crocheted Me

    I’m A Teacher. Today A Child Gave Me Toy Replicas Of My Dogs That His Mom Had Crocheted Me

    EmWoodhouse8 Report

    In 2023, researchers found that most teachers living in OECD countries feel undervalued by their community, the media, and policymakers. Soo-yong Byun, the co-author of the study, said that teacher satisfaction directly affects student satisfaction and outcomes.

    "If teachers feel valued in society and by media and policymakers, their job satisfaction will increase and thus [they will] make more efforts to adopt new ideas and methods to change and improve their schools," he explained.

    #4

    My Student’s Dad Painted This Picture Of My Dog For Me As A Gift

    My Student’s Dad Painted This Picture Of My Dog For Me As A Gift

    TerpinOne Report

    #5

    My Son’s Teacher Told Me He Looks Out For A Little Girl Who Has Just Moved From Venezuela And Doesn’t Speak English Yet. I Am So Proud

    My Son’s Teacher Told Me He Looks Out For A Little Girl Who Has Just Moved From Venezuela And Doesn’t Speak English Yet. I Am So Proud

    I cried at the parent-teacher conference when she told me and sent this photo.

    tacocat225 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    This Heart On My Hand Is Called A "Cuddle Button." Daughter's Teacher Draws This On Both Our Hands When I Drop Her Off At School, And Every Time We Press It, It Sends A Hug To The Other

    This Heart On My Hand Is Called A "Cuddle Button." Daughter's Teacher Draws This On Both Our Hands When I Drop Her Off At School, And Every Time We Press It, It Sends A Hug To The Other

    Since my wife died last year, my 4-year-old daughter has hated being away from me. So, this helps her feel connected to me.

    slightly-simian Report

    Parents, on the other hand, place a lot of trust in local schools and teachers. A poll by PDK International’s 2022 Public Attitudes Toward Public Schools found that American adults rate their local schools very positively. 63% of American adults put "a great deal or good amount" of trust and confidence in their teachers. 

    These ratings are almost the highest they've been in 50 years. Still, people don't view teaching as a desirable profession. When asked whether they'd like their children to become teachers, 62% of the respondents said 'no.' It seems that parents understand how hard a teacher's job can be, and few wish their children to experience that.

    #7

    Cookie Charcuterie Board For My Son’s Teachers For The Last Day Of School

    Cookie Charcuterie Board For My Son’s Teachers For The Last Day Of School

    sears_wish_book Report

    #8

    Bother Me All You Want. I Think It’s Adorable That She Wanted Me To See

    Bother Me All You Want. I Think It’s Adorable That She Wanted Me To See

    prek_teach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    This Kid Is Awesome

    This Kid Is Awesome

    DianaG2772 Report

    In reality, it's not just the teacher's job to educate and inspire the next generation. It's a tough job that parents need to take part in, too; it's a joint effort. Journalist and educator Dana Brown even goes as far as to say that it's not the children who make the job hard. It's the parents. "Often the most frustrating and overwhelming duty of teaching is communicating with parents," she writes for The Educator's Room.

    #10

    My Kid's Theater Teacher Asked For Fake Food For Their Play. When She Emailed "Crafty Parents Needed" That Was Like My Bat Signal

    My Kid's Theater Teacher Asked For Fake Food For Their Play. When She Emailed "Crafty Parents Needed" That Was Like My Bat Signal

    razzelledazzle Report

    #11

    It’s Always Nice Getting Pictures From Our Son’s Teacher Showing How He’s Excelling In School

    It’s Always Nice Getting Pictures From Our Son’s Teacher Showing How He’s Excelling In School

    traskrogers Report

    #12

    Here's To All The Amazing Teachers In The World Going The Extra Mile To Care For Their Students

    Here's To All The Amazing Teachers In The World Going The Extra Mile To Care For Their Students

    Angie Winn KCBD Report

    Brown lists three main reasons why parents and teachers might not get along as well nowadays. First, it's that parents are overwhelmed with responsibilities. So, they rely more on teachers to teach their kids life skills, morality, and values. And when these clash with those of the parents, conflicts arise.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    This School Year Is Going Great

    This School Year Is Going Great

    lmegordon Report

    #14

    One Of Our Parents Made This For Our Year 2 Teacher. The Most Gorgeous Gift I’ve Ever Seen

    One Of Our Parents Made This For Our Year 2 Teacher. The Most Gorgeous Gift I’ve Ever Seen

    AmandaWilson910 Report

    #15

    My Wife Had To Write A Not-Sick Note For School

    My Wife Had To Write A Not-Sick Note For School

    basefibber Report

    Second, some parents want to micromanage their children's everyday education too much. "Yes, parents should absolutely have a say in their child’s education, but those choices should be made during elections and school board meetings," Brown claims.

    #16

    School's Out In My Neighborhood

    School's Out In My Neighborhood

    Vistana Report

    #17

    You Have A Future Olympian On Your Hands

    You Have A Future Olympian On Your Hands

    XByBilal Report

    #18

    That's So Cute

    That's So Cute

    kimquindlen Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    And lastly, attitudes toward teachers at the top matter. Brown says that parents often mirror the administrators when it comes to respect for teachers. When rigid regulations and micromanagement are coming from the top, parents tend to follow suit.

    #19

    My Son Is In 5th Grade, And This Thursday Is Their Concert. I Thought It Was So Kind That His Teacher Reached Out To Me Regarding His Solo. It Really Warmed My Heart

    My Son Is In 5th Grade, And This Thursday Is Their Concert. I Thought It Was So Kind That His Teacher Reached Out To Me Regarding His Solo. It Really Warmed My Heart

    icy_trees Report

    #20

    Turned My Son’s Drawings Into Teacher Appreciation Cookies

    Turned My Son’s Drawings Into Teacher Appreciation Cookies

    jjjkmm Report

    #21

    That’s So Lovely

    That’s So Lovely

    NeilMcMahon Report

    Still, the first issue is probably the most glaring. Many parents want to control what and how their children are learning, prompting conflicts with the teachers. Jessica Winter writes for The New Yorker that this issue might have become more prominent with the pandemic. Teachers got a direct glimpse into the children's home life, while parents could finally sit in on the process of the classroom.

    #22

    Vietnamese Immigrant Parent Reminds Me Why I Am A Teacher

    Vietnamese Immigrant Parent Reminds Me Why I Am A Teacher

    BeholdBarrenFields Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #23

    This Was For My Son's Teacher. She's Leaving, And They Had The Best Bond. She Came In And Burst Into Tears, Which Got Me Going, And Then Another Teacher. It Was A Very Teary Moment

    This Was For My Son's Teacher. She's Leaving, And They Had The Best Bond. She Came In And Burst Into Tears, Which Got Me Going, And Then Another Teacher. It Was A Very Teary Moment

    2kakka Report

    #24

    Teacher Appreciation Gift For My Daughter's 1st Grade Teacher! Parenting Honestly

    Teacher Appreciation Gift For My Daughter's 1st Grade Teacher! Parenting Honestly

    arodabough Report

    Winter writes how, back when she was in high school, the only calls her parents got about her from school were about missed classes or if she had to go home early if she felt unwell. Nowadays, parents get informed about even the most minor things that happen in classrooms. Even back in 2013, only four out of ten parents claimed to have received phone calls from the school about their children.

    #25

    A Sweet Message From One Of My Student’s Parents. I Miss My Kids A Lot

    A Sweet Message From One Of My Student’s Parents. I Miss My Kids A Lot

    duggatron57 Report

    #26

    Message From My Nephew's Teacher To My Sister

    Message From My Nephew's Teacher To My Sister

    JBFRESHSKILLS Report

    #27

    Didn't Expect This From The Teacher Today

    Didn't Expect This From The Teacher Today

    Reapasaurus_Rex Report

    Psychologist Michael Thompson explains that this is due to parents just being more involved in general. "This is the most devoted, most conscientious, most aware parent cohort ever—but they're also wildly anxious." Out of that anxiety, he says, comes the sometimes overbearing communication.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #28

    That Teacher Taught Us How To Love, And You Taught Us How To Be Thankful

    That Teacher Taught Us How To Love, And You Taught Us How To Be Thankful

    pernilleripp Report

    #29

    I Have A PhD

    I Have A PhD

    bcarey724 Report

    #30

    This Should Be Framed

    This Should Be Framed

    jeffisrael25 Report

    The key to a good parent-teacher relationship is to trust the teacher to make the right decisions. After all, they've received qualifications and training for doing exactly this, right? "The more you call, the less the teacher feels trusted, and the more it corrodes a relationship," Thompson says.

    #31

    My Autistic Daughter’s Math Teacher Sent Me This Today. This Is Absolute Comedy Gold

    My Autistic Daughter’s Math Teacher Sent Me This Today. This Is Absolute Comedy Gold

    WillGreenwood Report

    #32

    From My Kindergartener's Teacher Today. The Embarrassment Is So Real

    From My Kindergartener's Teacher Today. The Embarrassment Is So Real

    Klutzy-Juggernaut449 Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    My Son's Teacher Is Proud Of Me

    My Son's Teacher Is Proud Of Me

    chestypants12 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #34

    My Daughter’s Teacher Knew I Loved Knitting. So She Hand-Spun Me Yarn As A Gift

    My Daughter’s Teacher Knew I Loved Knitting. So She Hand-Spun Me Yarn As A Gift

    Firehawksmom Report

    #35

    My Brother's High School Math Teacher Assigned Parental Homework. My Dad Was Not Happy

    My Brother's High School Math Teacher Assigned Parental Homework. My Dad Was Not Happy

    JadeJabberwock Report

    #36

    The Email I Got From My 8-Year-Old's Teacher Today Had Me Dying Of Laughter. Do You Know How Hard It Is To Enforce A Consequence When Trying Not To Laugh?

    The Email I Got From My 8-Year-Old's Teacher Today Had Me Dying Of Laughter. Do You Know How Hard It Is To Enforce A Consequence When Trying Not To Laugh?

    The mannequin head is mine, as I'm a stylist.

    KrisBo84 Report

    #37

    Accidentally Sent My Son To School With His Newly Bought Ugly Christmas Sweater. Didn't Realize What Santa Was Doing Until His Kindergarten Teacher Pointed It Out When I Picked Him Up

    Accidentally Sent My Son To School With His Newly Bought Ugly Christmas Sweater. Didn't Realize What Santa Was Doing Until His Kindergarten Teacher Pointed It Out When I Picked Him Up

    She was pretty cool with it. She chuckled when she told me. I laughed too once I saw it.

    AngryHamzter Report

    #38

    Parenting Is Hard. How Am I Supposed To Discipline My Daughter With A Straight Face, When Her Teacher Sends Me Pictures Of Her Falling Asleep In Class

    Parenting Is Hard. How Am I Supposed To Discipline My Daughter With A Straight Face, When Her Teacher Sends Me Pictures Of Her Falling Asleep In Class

    Foreverdre404 Report

    #39

    She Hadn't Missed A Meal

    She Hadn't Missed A Meal

    tickedofflymie Report

    #40

    The Good Education We Must Invest In

    The Good Education We Must Invest In

    AdvKindness Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #41

    This Is An Actual, Unironic Email That I Just Got From My Son’s Teacher

    This Is An Actual, Unironic Email That I Just Got From My Son’s Teacher

    decyphier_ Report

    #42

    Message To Parents I Got Today

    Message To Parents I Got Today

    reddit.com Report

    #43

    End-Of-Year Presents For The Teachers Who Look After My Diabetic Daughter

    End-Of-Year Presents For The Teachers Who Look After My Diabetic Daughter

    magicmango2104 Report

    #44

    My Daughter's Elementary School Emailed This Photo So Parents Can Claim Lost Glasses. The School Only Has 190 Students

    My Daughter's Elementary School Emailed This Photo So Parents Can Claim Lost Glasses. The School Only Has 190 Students

    WTF_Conservatives Report

    #45

    For My Son's Teacher On The Last Day Of School

    For My Son's Teacher On The Last Day Of School

    Excellent-Manner-130 Report

    #46

    Kid Went To Spend Their Entire Birthday Money At The Canteen

    Kid Went To Spend Their Entire Birthday Money At The Canteen

    DazedNConfucious Report

    #47

    My Cousin's Teacher Texted This

    My Cousin's Teacher Texted This

    rawrzee Report

    #48

    It's Teacher Appreciation Week. I Made These For My Kids' Teachers

    It's Teacher Appreciation Week. I Made These For My Kids' Teachers

    jighlypuff03 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #49

    My Little Sister Was Misbehaving At School, And This Was The Note Home She Got Today

    My Little Sister Was Misbehaving At School, And This Was The Note Home She Got Today

    chookine123 Report

    #50

    Pretty Sure My Kid's Daycare Teacher Is Former Mafia

    Pretty Sure My Kid's Daycare Teacher Is Former Mafia

    Porespellar Report

    Note: this post originally had 66 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.