Teachers work hard, and their efforts often go unnoticed. Show your staff how much you care with a few simple acts of appreciation.
Please find out your teacher’s favorite books, flowers, restaurants, and coffee shops to give them personalized gifts. Stock the faculty lounge with snacks and drinks. Hire a massage therapist to provide 15-minute head, neck, shoulder, and hand massages.
1. Give them something they need
As school staff appreciation gifts go, simple or elaborate, traditional or off-the-wall, slightly pricey or for a bargain, the idea is the same: to show your teacher how much you care about them and how important they are to students’ lives. Whether you’re shopping for an inexpensive treat or something more extravagant, the idea is to give them something that will brighten their day and make them smile.
Teachers are busy people who often have more on their plates than you might think. If you can’t give them a break from their workload, lighten the load by providing a gift that will help them keep on top of things. For example, a new microwave or even a simple basket of items to keep in their desks for snacking (like granola bars and water with fruit-flavored powder packs) may be on the wish list for some teachers.
If you have a group that is willing to put in the time, take your staff appreciation event to the next level by asking teachers what they need and want. Surveys can provide a wealth of information on what kinds of books, flowers, restaurants, and coffee shops your teachers like best, for instance. Taking this info into consideration when you’re planning your staff appreciation events can help you plan out more thoughtful gifts for the school year, such as a bouquet of their favorite flower or a book that they’ve wanted to read.
Many teachers are tired of the same old #1 teacher mugs that they receive all year long, so work with your group to find an alternative that is more creative and unique. One popular option is to create a basket that includes essentials that teachers can use at their classroom station or in their office, such as desk cleaning wipes and tissues (there’s always going to be allergies around).
2. Give them a gift card
Gift cards are an excellent option for teacher appreciation gifts because they allow teachers to get what they want and need without you having to choose for them. Plus, you can even take it a step further and create a personalized gift card that highlights something specific that they do well as a teacher.
One of the most thoughtful gifts a teacher can receive is a letter. Whether it’s handwritten or typed, a thoughtful letter is sure to tug at their heartstrings. It’s a great way to let them know how they have helped your child grow, learn, and succeed this year.
If your school allows it, a breakfast or lunch for teachers and other school staff is an excellent way to show your appreciation. Make sure to check with the administration and other parents about health and safety protocols for serving food, however. If they say it’s okay, organize a breakfast for everyone on a particular morning during Teacher Appreciation Week. Include a variety of foods and sweet treats so that everyone has something to enjoy.
Another thoughtful gift idea for teachers is a coffee mug or travel mug. Make it extra special by personalizing it with a fun message or a quote they love. Another great gift is a set of colorful pencils or even a personalized set of bookplate stickers. They are perfect for teachers who often use their classroom library and need to mark books as their own. For a more sophisticated and valuable gift, give your teacher an Audible gift membership that lets them listen to their favorite books on the go.
You can also put together a little mini-basket of sweet treats, self-care items, and other small treasures to show your teacher how much you care. Include a journal, scented candle, and other things they might like to help them relax and unwind. Top off the basket with a cute thank you note, and you will have a unique teacher appreciation gift.
3. Give them a gift of time
Taking care of students is a big job, and teachers can sometimes feel like their efforts go unnoticed. So, if you’re going to spend money on teacher appreciation gifts, consider spending some of that cash on giving the gift of time. A simple letter, note, or email of thanks can mean the world to a teacher, especially one who feels undervalued and underappreciated.
Encourage school staff to take a break from work by bringing in food for the teachers’ lounge. Stock it with snacks, drinks, and healthy options. It’s sure to make the day a little more enjoyable for everyone involved!
Please get to know your school’s teaching staff and find out what their favorite things are. Then, please give them a special treat based on their passions. For example, if a teacher loves to read, send them a book by their favorite author or gift a personalized bookmark they can use during chapter book read-aloud.
Host a special breakfast or lunch for your school’s teaching staff. Invite parents, local community leaders, and district personnel to join the festivities. You could even host a teacher appreciation day potluck and ask families to bring in their favorite dishes for the occasion.
During the event, present a giant thank-you card for the school community. It can feature words of gratitude written by the students or their families, and it will surely warm your heart to see so many people express how much they appreciate your hardworking teachers!
Get in touch with past students of all ages to ask them to share a quick story, picture, or status update about where they are now and how they’re doing. This will be a heartwarming keepsake that teachers can cherish for years to come. You can also set up a social media wall in the classroom for students to post their messages of love and appreciation. Alternatively, you can collect these stories in a binder for the teachers to keep and flip through whenever they need some inspiration.
4. Give them a gift of encouragement
When you give the gift of encouragement, you’re showing teachers that they matter. Teachers have demanding jobs and need to hear they’re appreciated and valued. A simple handwritten note or card is the most treasured gift of teacher appreciation. If you have a larger group to thank, an encouraging video or letter from students is also a great way to show you care.
Some of the best school staff appreciation gifts are a bit silly, which makes them even more fun to give. Add your school mascot or crest along with a message of thanks for a skill that can be used again and again. Mugs, water bottles, tote bags, and polo shirts are all excellent options, but you can also create something unique, like this cute “chill pills” jar filled with candy for stress relief or this fun DIY mug that allows the teacher to leave a note for themselves on each use.
Another easy and inexpensive way to show the love is by collecting donations to treat the entire school staff to a staff lunch or breakfast. You can do this on a small scale with an electronic sign-up to collect money for the meal or go big with a mystery makeover every night of the week. Either way, it will be a fun and memorable experience for the whole team.
If you have a lot of families to thank, consider gathering the teachers together for an assembly with a slideshow or video presentation featuring each child. You can also invite other school staff members, such as the principal or district administrators, to attend to really let them know how much they are appreciated. You could even roll out the red carpet for a VIP lunch in the staff lounge or have students deliver fan mail comments to teachers during class.
