WEST ALLIS, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- The West Allis-West Milwaukee School District is finding creative ways to celebrate their teachers on Teacher Appreciation Week 2020.

At Jefferson Elementary School, the "Bears" are making sure their teachers feel loved and appreciated all week.

“I reached out to them and I said shhh, its a surprise, you can’t tell your teachers that we’re requesting this because we want to show them we appreciate them for teacher appreciation week," said Jefferson Elementary Principal Quiana Polk. 

Students sent a heartfelt greeting to their beloved teachers, with the help of their parents and principal.

It surprised them and reminded them why they love their profession so much. 

“I actually had tears in my eyes, I mean I didn’t sit down and cry like a baby, but I had tears in my eyes. We had originally made them a video and the kids reported to me that it meant a lot to them and now it's being reversed, it choked me up, I even had to let my principal know I had tears in my eyes it was moving," shared Jefferson Elementary School teacher, Bambi Patnode.

These days parents are learning a little more about the great effort these teachers make throughout the year. 

“Our parents especially are like, 'wow, I didn’t realize all of the hard work, the dedication and the time, the level of commitment that our teachers put into their child’s day every day. With our children being our home with us and parents acting as teachers that lightbulb is coming on like wow we really appreciate you,'" added Principal Polk.

To thank teachers for it, parents organized a special treat that was delivered to teachers at their door. 

“I got a card, I got a big poster for my window saying a teacher lives here and is helping with learning. I got a door dash gift certificate from PTA, I got some shout-outs from my kids," said Patnode who teaches 5th grade. 

Though technology is allowing teachers and students to stay connected, Wisconsin teachers like Mrs. Patnode look forward to the day they can return to the classroom. She hopes she will soon be able to see students learn and grow in person. 

“I design my classes around what my kids' needs are and now they’re not in front of me, it's kind of difficult to assess what they’re feeling when I can’t see them," ended Mrs. Patnode

Jefferson Elementary School is planning to hold a virtual graduation ceremony for fifth graders who will move on to middle school. This is one of the school's biggest yearly traditions. The staff and administration at the school already began by sending yard signs to their fifth graders' homes too.