Teaching is a vocation that doesn't always get the credit and respect it deserves. Men and women who decide to teach dedicate their time, and often their own money and resources, to ensure our children get the best education they can. Teachers are the real gift, and we should treat them to something special now and then.
For Teacher Appreciation Week this year, CafeMom asked teachers themselves what parents should actually do to show their appreciate. We hate to tell you, but they don't need any more coffee mugs. Instead, teachers love things that are personal and from the heart. And those things don't have to cost much money to have a significant impact. There are thoughtful ways to show your thanks in every price range, including free!
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Lunch
This one is simple. As we all know, food just tastes better when you don't have to prepare it yourself. Bringing a delicious lunch to teachers is something a group can coordinate. It certainly beats heating up leftovers every darn day.
"When I was in the classroom I loved when parents would email the principal and tell them about a great experience they had with me. It made me feel so appreciated! I also loved when parents offered to buy me lunch, it was always such a nice surprise. I do that with my kids teachers a few times a year. I also thinking emailing all the students parents and asking for a short note or video clip from each student and making a book or small video to give the teachers is so thoughtful." — Danielle S.
"A random treat is really nice too. It could be a coffee, tea, or soda or a cookie, cupcake or candy or a cute new pen and post its dropped off just because." — Wendy M.
School Supplies
Teachers often spend big bucks stocking their classrooms, so offering to replenish supplies is a sweet gesture.
"I love purple pens in my class and that's what I use to edit and everything and once a parent gave me some nice ones. That was awesome too." — Allena A.
"They really just want gift cards and classroom supplies from the list they provide." — Jeanne J.
Something From the Heart
Teachers love to know that the gifts they receive are from their students and not just mom and dad. The thoughtfulness of a child can speak volumes.
"I have kept so many of those, and they're really timeless treasures. With how hard the past few years have been, I think those gifts are especially meaningful (maybe sneak in a Starbucks card too!). If I only got gift cards without notes or personalization, I think I'd long for something more." — Stephanie K.
Volunteer
Yep, just going into the school or classroom for an hour or less can make a huge difference for a teacher who needs a break.
"Time — I love the gift of "time." We've had parents come in and they have a whole class activity planned and the teacher gets a 20-30 minute break." — Jessica M.
"A class covered … honestly one year admin had a table in the caf for kids to write notes of appreciation and then brought them to us." — Emily G.
Don't Forget High School Teachers
We heard from several teachers of older students who said that they like to be remembered.
"I am a high school teacher, so we don't really get anything But definitely a personal note or letter!" — Becky M.
"I have a lot of teachers in the family, including my husband, mom, and aunt and they rarely get gifts because they're high school teachers, so it's always nice when people give them anything at all! Gifts cards for food or gas are always appreciated!" — Chaunie B.
A Note to Their Boss
It feels good when a person tells your superior you are doing a great job. A quick email to a principal or superintendent is an excellent way to express appreciation to your child's teacher.
"A really nice email and cc their principal, superintendent, board, etc. is a very thoughtful gesture that costs nothing and means a lot." — Corisa L.
"When I was in the classroom I loved when parents would email the principal and tell them about a great experience they had with me. It made me feel so appreciated! I also loved when parents offered to buy me lunch, it was always such a nice surprise." — Danielle S.
Handmade Gifts
Many people don't have time or talent to create homemade gifts. But if you do, they are always appreciated by teachers.
"A student once hand-knit my husband a hat and he wore it constantly." — Chaunie M.
"I try to make small things that I think will be legitimately useful: reusable food storage bags filled with cookies or granola, masks (an easy gift and big hit during COVID!), a potholder and cookie mix, a floor turtle. Floor turtles were a big hit (it's, like, a turtle shaped rag you keep on your kitchen floor and kick around to clean up messes?) — I even had a few teachers contact me to purchase more when they found out I made them. Basically, I ask myself if I would find the thing I'm giving legitimately useful or if it's just something cutesy." — Mary Beth F.
Theme Days
When the PTO puts together a theme week, parents have a chance to get creative.
"Our pta did a whole theme each day:
Monday — send in a note or picture
Tuesday — bring a drink
Wednesday — do something for your special area teachers
Thursday — stock the class room with a needed supply
Friday — free day small gift or homemade something your kid made." — Carissa N.
Gift Cards
This was a big one for teachers. It doesn't matter where the card is to — teachers love getting gift cards.
"I wanted to say one thing about gift cards: even very small gift cards are much appreciated. I've had people tell me they felt embarrassed giving a $5 gift card, but I NEVER scoffed at that as a teacher! A $5 gift card to somewhere like Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts is a treat I might not have gotten myself otherwise, and the thought was always MUCH appreciated. This is a tried and true, but don't think it has to be extravagant. Teachers are happy with anything thoughtful." — Mary F.
"Honestly I love gift cards! Special Area teachers like myself appreciate anything! It's the thought that counts!" — Angie K.
Monograms and Personalized Gifts
Teachers like things that are personalized. It certainly helps keep them on their desk and not lifted by sticky fingers.
"Anything monogrammed or fun pens… ie Flair pens!!" — Emily C.
Favorite Drink
This could be just about anything you want it to be, and teachers like a variety of things to sip on.
"Restroom breaks lol … for real though Diet Coke." — Sarah R.
“Tequila, limes, and salt. Fancy coffee in the morning, Gift cards, chocolate, hand written thank you from students." — Amanda E.
"I craved Dr Pepper all through my pregnancy and one of my boys brought me one my first week back from maternity leave. I cried." — Elizabeth J.
Respect
This doesn't cost a thing, but it certainly makes a significant impact on teachers. Hopefully, if parents model how children should act, they will follow their lead.
"Respect. To understand what truly goes into this job and that we do it for the kids. To be seen as a partner, not an adversary. But honestly, just words of appreciation from parents and students mean more than a 'gift.'" — Sarah R.
"Parental support." — Lee Ann G.
Pampering
Teachers like to be loved on, just like the rest of us. Think about your favorite ways to be pampered and pass one along.
"Massage or nails done, lunch brought into school." — Heather S.
"Massage chair in the lounge. An actual lounge." — Emily G.
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A Promise To Help
There is a lot of work that goes into preparing lessons for kids, and it is always nice when someone offers to lighten the load.
"A 'certificate' good for one hour of photocopying or other tedious prep work. Especially great for the lower elementary teachers — cutting paper for art projects for example." — Gina S.
Personalized Note
This was by far the most popular answer. Validating a teacher's hard work and dedication means more than anything, and it only costs your time.
"As someone married to a teacher, the honest unbiased answer is any sincere kind handwritten note from a parent thanking them, ideally with examples of how they've impacted their child are always 100% appreciated. They're paid s— wages and want to know it's all worth it. That plus some nice wine." — Dan S.
"I've always appreciated a hand written letter. Not just a "thank you," but something more specific about why they are thankful or a fun memory. I have always kept those and reread them to help through the hard days." — Laura R.
"When I taught I had a parent email me a detailed, thoughtful email at the end of each quarter. I saved them to a folder I called a "happy folder" and would read them (and others) on hard days. It was such a thoughtful (and really, simple) overall gesture that I took it to use for my own child who's now started school." — Kaitlin R.
