6 Heartfelt Teacher Appreciation Ideas

Teachers are some of the most important influencers in your child’s life besides you, their parent. With them playing such a big role in your child’s life, Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to say thank you for all they do.

Regardless of the amount of free time you have, there’s something on our list of teacher appreciation ideas that will fit into your schedule and help you say thank you to your child’s teacher.

1.  Write a thank-you card or record a video.

   If you’re really short on time, pick up an appreciation card at the store, and jot a quick note inside letting your child’s teacher know why you appreciate them. Sharing funny stories even things you’ve learned because your child was excited to share what they learned in school will certainly  bring them a smile.

   If you have a bit more time, make a card at home. You can even enlist the help of your child by having them draw a picture to accompany your note. If your child is already writing, they can even write the note by saying what they appreciate or like about their teacher and/or what they’ve enjoyed learning about. 

   A video of your child saying thank you or dancing or singing or sharing their favorite story is just as wonderful.

   For older students, here are some especially wonderful examples of teacher thank you notes. 

2. Purchase a gift card to a grocery store or favorite store.

   Teachers teach because they are drawn to the profession, not because it pays well. When gifts are given to teachers, they’re often things that aren’t very useful, even if they are sweet, handmade things.

   Show your teacher appreciation by giving them a gift card to help out with weekly groceries or one to a store where they can pick out something they wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.

3. Get other families involved.

   If you have time, you can really show your appreciation by organizing other parents and creating something as a class. Even if other families want to gift something individually, putting them all together in a basket beforehand and presenting them as one large item will make more of an impact. You can also pool your money for a larger gift card from families that are able to contribute.

4. Ask your child what their teacher could use.

   Your child spends a lot of time with their teacher. See if they have any suggestions on things their teacher could use. Maybe they’ve heard their teacher mention something.

5. Write a letter to the principal.

   Of all the many teacher appreciation ideas out there, sharing with your teacher’s administration just how much you care is one of the most special. Share how you feel your teacher is going above and beyond with the principal.

   Even if you don’t feel your child’s teacher is going above and beyond, a letter explaining your appreciation for the things your child’s teacher is doing or how they’ve positively impacted your family will go a long way with the principal. It might even come into consideration during the teacher’s next evaluation.

6. Post on social media.

   Create a post on social media sharing why you appreciate your child’s teacher. Even if your teacher doesn’t see it, there’s a good chance another one will. If we blanket social media with appreciation posts, teachers will know that parents are grateful for all they do. It may not be money in the bank, but it will fill their hearts with much-needed praise to continue doing a sometimes hard and thankless job.

Whether you choose one of these teacher appreciation ideas or come up with your own, let’s support our teachers and let them know we care.