We laughed hard about this highlighter in the teacher’s lounge, a teacher appreciation gift that had been passed out to all the teachers in the school. I photographed it and sent the pic on to my daughters.

The younger one replied, “That is so rude of them … at least you have a highlighter as consolation.”

“Oh, I did not even get a highlighter,” I answered. “I was only a retired teacher who subs. You have to be a fully certified, full-time teacher who has worked a whole year to earn your very own yellow highlighter!”

This post is for the clueless, for organizations and administrations who mean well but are strapped for cash.

Eduhonesty: Buy food. Go to Dunkin Donuts and put a few dozen donuts out for teachers. Even the ones on diets will appreciate the gesture. In the teacher’s lounge, one teacher suggested that another possible item to use with the word “brighter” might have been a package of Skittles. Skittles would be cheap and cute.

Highlighters… Ummm, no. No. Just no. I still have highlighters from when I retired. I have highlighters from back when I was taking continuing education classes in college before I retired. Any Great Highlighter Shortage is a myth.

A package of dry-erase markers might be appreciated. Teachers crank through dry-erase markers. A package of colored pens might also brighten a teacher’s day.

But if funds are short, a sheet cake that says, “Thank you for all you do!” will work. It’s the thought that counts. Last year, I worked a long-term subbing position at a school whose administration hosted breakfast and passed out carnations at the end of the year. I would happily work for that administration anytime. My carnation sat in a bud vase, a reminder throughout the week that all my work had been noticed.

The men and women on teaching’s front lines deserve to know their efforts are truly valued.