In early childhood education, every day begins and ends with a teacher.
Before the first child arrives, they’re already preparing the classroom, planning activities, and thinking about how to meet each child where they are. Long after the last pickup, they’re resetting, reflecting, and carrying the emotional weight of every hug, meltdown, and milestone from the day.
This week, we pause to say what should be said far more often: thank you.
Teacher Appreciation Week is a chance to say “we see you.” But the truth is — the moments that matter most aren’t always during the first week of May. They happen in quiet staff rooms, in morning greetings, in mid-day check-ins, and in the energy you bring to the people who make your center possible.
When we asked Tandem workers to share their most meaningful moments from the field, one thing came through clearly: year-round appreciation sticks. And it makes a difference in how teachers see their work — and themselves.
“The staff included me in their potluck… and the students ran up to me with hugs. It felt amazing to be recognized and included.”
“Out of all the schools I worked at, the ones that stood out treated me like more than a sub. They got to know me, gave me a fun, busy day, and made me feel valued.”
“One center invited me and my family to their Christmas party. I was so excited and truly grateful. It showed me they see me not just as a worker, but as part of their community.”
“The director offered me a permanent position after one shift. I felt so welcomed — and appreciated — for who I was and what I brought to the classroom.”
We often talk about retention, reliability, and “quality of care” — but those are just outcomes. What drives them is how educators feel.
When teachers feel connected to your center, when they know they’re not invisible, when they feel trusted and respected — they stay, they grow, and they give more of themselves to the work.
As one Tandem worker put it:
“My heart overflows with joy as I reflect on my journey. The staff welcomed me with open arms, and I instantly felt like I’d found my second family. The joy from the children’s hugs and ‘I love you’s made me feel seen, heard, and cherished.”
These are the experiences that make educators choose this work again tomorrow. And they’re built through everyday actions that say: you matter here.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, we challenge you to celebrate your team not just with donuts and cards (though we love those too), but by thinking about the habits you can build to make appreciation part of your culture.
Here are a few places to start:
You are not just the glue holding child care together.
You are the heartbeat of it.
You carry children’s trust, families’ hopes, and society’s future — on often underpaid, overworked shoulders.
We see you. We value you. And we’re working toward a future where appreciation shows up in more than words.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week — from all of us at Tandem.
Like Cliff Notes, but for child care: