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May 8 - 12 is Teacher Appreciation Week this year and it is almost here! You may be looking for some fun ideas to show your gratitude to your child's teacher, so I am sharing some fund ideas.
I used to be a teacher and I always remember that by this time in the school year, teacher appreciation really was appreciated by teachers. It helped give us a little boost to help make it to the end of the school year. Teaching is a hard job. It is certainly rewarding, but it is hard. That doesn't mean you need to spend tons of money though. Simple and meaningful gestures are appreciated.
Why is Teacher Appreciation Important?
This may go without saying, but teachers are critical. They spend a significant amount of time with our children and help shape their lives - their education, their character, and more.
Many teachers put in a significant amount more time than they are required to make sure that our children are getting a good education. They are working on nights, weekends, and even during summer break to get everything ready for our kids.
Additionally, roughly 94% of teachers spend their own money to buy things for their classroom and their student. This is often despite barely making enough to live off of. From personal experience, I used to buy all sorts of decorations, books, and classroom supplies. These are the types of things that make the classroom environment welcoming and warm so students feel comfortable. I know many teachers who will also provide snacks and food for their students to help students concentrate on learning instead of hunger.
Teachers often put their whole hearts into teaching, so teacher appreciation week is a good opportunity to show our appreciation. Though I personally recommend showing appreciation all year long (even if it's just a quick "thank you for all you do"), trust me your child's teacher will notice.
Tips for Teacher Appreciation:
Get your child involved
Getting a gift a student has put time into is so meaningful. And too often, parents buy a gift and the students do not even know it is teacher appreciation week.
Personalize it for your child's teacher
When you get your child involved, you may be amazed to find out they know a lot about their teacher(s). Have your child brainstorm things they think their teacher would like based on what they know about them.
Talk to your child about teacher appreciation
Teacher appreciation week is a great opportunity to discuss with your child what it means to be appreciative and why we appreciate teachers.
Homemade gifts for the win
Teachers love getting a gift their student has made. Consider having them include things such as memories from the school year, favorite learning moments, a classroom-wide gift with all students' names on it as a memento from the year.
Be Creative and Have Fun
No matter what you do, if you are taking time to say "thank you" it will be appreciated. So have fun!
Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week:
Write a heartfelt thank you note
Bring in the teacher's favorite snack
Bring in the teacher's favorite drink
Gift cards for coffee, favorite restaurants, Target, bookstores, craft supply stores, etc.
Pick out their favorite school supplies (do they love flair pens? They probably buy a lot of their own supplies!)
Have your child make a homemade thank you card
Bring the teacher's favorite flowers
Journals/notebooks (bonus if they are personalized)
Good coffee
Good Tea
Coffee mugs/insulated coffee mugs
Tumblers
Water bottle
Bath bombs
At home face masks
A favorite candle
Shower steamers
Homemade baked goods
A craft project your child loves
Personalized bookmark - your child can even make one!
Adult coloring book
Plants
Pencil case
Letterboard
Comfy blanket
Personalized towel for summer break
Personalized Stationery
Hobby related gifts
Personalized keychain
Personalized tote bag
Chocolate
Personalized teacher library stamp
Personalized stamps
Slippers
Spa gift card
High-quality hand cream
Mug warmer
Desktop organizer
Planners
Bookends
Bluetooth speaker
Comfy socks (like Bombas)
Wireless phone charger
Reusable straws
Personalized desk sign
Fun subscriptions (book of the month, coffee, treats, etc)
Offer to volunteer in the classroom
Record a video of your child thanking their teacher and telling them why they are great and send it to the teacher!
Classroom supplies and cleaning supplies are always appreciated
Work with the PTA to plan a week of appreciation events
Here are just a few school-wide ideas that could be implemented throughout teacher appreciation week:
I think everyone loves a pun, check out Healthy Happy Teacher for a great list of teacher appreciation puns.
Plan a breakfast or luncheon
Have a coffee bar/station
Have an ice cream bar or deliver ice cream sandwiches
Set up a candy bar for teachers and staff
Set up a popcorn bar for teachers and staff
Set up a S'mores bar
Decorate a bulletin board exclaiming your appreciation
Deliver donuts
Have 15 mini massages in the teacher lounge for teachers to enjoy during their planning period
Set up a photo booth for teachers and staff
Chalk the sidewalks outside the school with messages of appreciation
Gather thank you letters from families and deliver them to teachers
Plan a teacher car wash, where families wash the teachers' cars
Decorate teachers' doors
Ask the principal for permission to provide teachers with passes - such as a jeans pass, a cover a duty pass, an early leave/late arrival pass/ long lunch pass, etc.
Have an ice cream float party
Ask for donations from families to have a food truck come to school to serve the teachers and students lunch.
Have a teacher appreciation cookout
Play bingo for treats and gift cards
Have a pizza party for teachers and staff
Deliver goody bags to teachers
Use seed packs to thank all of the teachers and staff
Provide school t-shirts/jackets/sweatshirts for teachers
Set up a smoothie station for teachers
Provide take-and-bake dinners for teachers and their families
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