By Staff
June 3rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
What a decent way to thank a teacher!
In the past, well at least my past, you gave the teacher yet another coffee mug, maybe one you decorated yourself.
The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) invites community members to thank the teachers who’ve quietly made a difference, in a meaningful way, by helping an HDSB student in need in their honour.
Teachers do more than teach.
They notice when a child doesn’t have lunch and quietly tuck snacks into their desks.
They find warm jackets for cold days and make sure every child can join the field trip, no matter what their circumstances.
They’ve wiped away tears when no one else was there.
They bring extra supplies for students who can’t afford them.
They ensure every child feels seen, safe, and supported.
HLF works closely with teachers and school staff across the Halton District School Board (HDSB) who are often the first to recognise when a student is struggling due to financial barriers. Through emergency support, HLF helps provide food, clothing, school supplies, and other essentials — all made possible thanks to donors and compassionate educators.
The “Thank a Teacher” campaign allows parents, students, alumni, and community members to make a donation to HLF in honour of a teacher or school staff member who has made a difference. When a gift is made, HLF sends a personalised card to that educator to let them know someone recognized their compassion and paid it forward.
It’s also a meaningful way to thank an educator who is retiring this year, in recognition of their years of dedication to students.
Teachers are always there, ready to talk something through with students.
“This is about more than appreciation, it’s a way to honour teachers by continuing their legacy of kindness”, says Marc Clare, HLF CEO. “I’ve seen the quiet acts of care teachers show every day — and this is a way to honour that compassion by continuing it. When you help a student in need in a teacher’s name, you’re carrying their legacy forward in the most meaningful way.”
Whether you’re a parent looking for a meaningful end-of-year gift, or a former student remembering the teacher who believed in you, this is your opportunity to say thank you in a way that truly reflects who teachers are: caring champions of students.
“As a vocal coach and a parent, I’ve witnessed just how much heart teachers pour into their students, going the extra mile to make extracurriculars like musicals, plays, and sports possible,” says Dania Thurman, School Council Chair at Burlington Central High School. “Their dedication, both in and out of the classroom, fosters confidence, joy, and lifelong memories. They truly deserve to be celebrated and thanked.”
Your donation will provide critical support to students facing financial hardship, in the spirit of the teachers who show up for them every day.
To learn more or donate in honour of a teacher, a school staff, or a retiree, visit thankmyteacher.ca
The Halton Learning Foundation helps support quality education for Halton District School Board students by providing emergency help for students in need, post-secondary scholarships, and funds to assist schools that have classroom needs beyond core education funding.
Thanks for your help supporting this worthwhile organization