Teachers help our children learn and grow every day, making Teacher Appreciation Week the perfect time to show just how much we value all they do. And whether you’re a parent, administrator, or other volunteer, honoring your school's teachers has never been easier with our list of Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas.
When is Teacher Appreciation Week?
In 1984, the National Parent-Teacher Association dubbed the first full week of May National Teacher Appreciation Week to "honor the individuals who lend their passion and skills to educating our children".
Over 40 years later, Teacher Appreciation Week is still going strong, serving as a heartfelt reminder to thank the educators who make a lasting difference.
If you’re wondering how to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week this year, there are countless ways—from gift giving and food prep to supply donations or even time off.
Top 10 Teacher Appreciation Week gift ideas
Below, we'll explore our top 10 favorite gift ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week—some tried-and-true, others delightfully unexpected!
1. School supplies
Classroom supplies often run short, making the gift of extra school supplies a fantastic way to show a teacher you care (especially since many teachers pay out-of-pocket due to budget constraints).
For this classic Teacher Appreciation Week gift idea, consider asking parents, staff members, or other community members to donate items to assemble a generous basket of supplies. You can even send out a wish list with suggestions, including:
- Pens and pencils
- Folders
- Notebooks
- Markers
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer or wipes
If you want to give to multiple teachers but aren’t sure how much you can contribute to each, create a donation box for the administration office where teachers can help themselves with supplies for their students.
Classroom supplies basket by Grady Elementary PTA
2. Gift cards
Gift cards can go a long way—especially if you purchase them through your RaiseRight fundraising program. Not yet enrolled with RaiseRight? Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:
- Enroll your organization for free—whether it’s your school’s PTA, booster club, music program, or sports team.
- Invite participants to join your program, and buy gift cards, shop online, or dine at participating restaurants to earn up to 20% back every time!
Just consider these top brands that would make great Teacher Appreciation Week gifts for your favorite educators:
You can also purchase gift cards for restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and more, or shop online at hundreds of RaiseRight partner brands.
3. Free meals or snacks all week
Tell teachers to forget about preparing their daily lunch—ask staff members, administrators, and volunteers to make meals or snack bars instead. Potluck-style foods, like casseroles or macaroni and cheese, are easy options.
Alternatively, you can surprise your teachers with RaiseRight gift cards to popular restaurants, including:
Superhero-themed popcorn bar by Eaton Academy
4. Spa or massage gift cards
Want to give the gift of luxurious relaxation? Send your teacher a Spa & Wellness or Spafinder gift card.
A little well-deserved pampering may be just what they need to relieve stress, reduce tension, and enjoy their special week to the fullest.
5. Volunteer time
Educators spend most of their day with their students (excluding lunch and their planning period), which makes it challenging to find time for other tasks, like grading or setting up activities.
Give teachers the gift of quality time by asking volunteers to cover a period to provide extra planning time. Even if this isn’t feasible, asking people to help monitor, set up or break down activities, or clean up at the end of the day can be immensely helpful.
6. Classroom cleanups
School janitors typically visit each classroom to mop the floors and empty the trash, but a teacher rarely has the time for a full-scale, deep cleaning session.
Give your teachers the gift of a tidy, stress-free space by offering to:
- Organize filing cabinets and folders
- Straighten and alphabetize bookshelves
- Brighten up the walls with colorful decorations
7. Teacher's lounge upgrades
Another space where teachers spend much of their time is the teacher’s lounge. The lounge is one of the few spaces where teachers can truly unwind, but often, there isn’t enough time or resources to make it as relaxing as possible.
For the ultimate Teacher Appreciation Week gift, transform the teacher’s lounge into a workplace oasis by:
- Adding or replacing appliances, like a coffee machine or microwave
- Stocking the fridge and pantry with delicious snacks and drinks
- Adding comfy pieces of furniture or accessories, like armchairs, throw pillows, and diffusers
Teacher lounge makeover, designed by Krystle at Perkins on Parkway
8. A day off
Sometimes, what a teacher needs most is a break. Although teachers have a set number of vacation and sick days, they'll always appreciate an extra day of rest.
To that end, consider fundraising via RaiseRight to pay for a substitute on a day of the teacher’s choosing. Alternatively, substitutes or volunteers can rotate throughout the day to teach lessons or read to students. Even having an aide in the classroom for a day can take some stress off the teacher.
9. Appreciation video or scrapbook
What’s a better way to show your appreciation to teachers than to tell them in writing or video? Collect thank-you notes or video clips from students, faculty, and other parents and compile them into a keepsake your teacher will treasure.
The key to conveying genuine appreciation is to be as specific as possible. Ask participants to include classroom anecdotes or detailed memories in their responses.
To get students' creative juices flowing, have them answer some of these prompts:
- What’s the most interesting subject your teacher has taught?
- Describe a time when your teacher helped you overcome a challenge.
- What’s one lesson from your teacher you’ll always remember?
By containing your gratitude in a physical object or video file, teachers can read or hear your kind words whenever they need a reminder that they and their work are deeply valued.
10. Teacher award nominations
Find ways to honor your teachers both in and out of the classroom by nominating them for awards.
Many communities have local awards for exceptional educators, and there are also many state and national prizes you can look into.
For this Teacher Appreciation Week gift idea, collaborate with other parents and volunteers to write a heartfelt nomination for the teachers who deserve extra special recognition.
Put your teachers and your school first with RaiseRight
Prepare for an unforgettable Teacher Appreciation Week by stocking up on gifts with help from RaiseRight. All you need to do is enroll your school's organization (and it’s free).
You can use RaiseRight to raise money for your public school, or use it for tuition assistance and fundraising needs for your private school. With every RaiseRight purchase, you’ll earn money for your school or PTO/PTA. It’s a win-win!
Here are some next steps to get the ball rolling:
- See why RaiseRight is the #1 fundraising idea for schools and PTOs/PTAs.
- Learn more about how RaiseRight works.
- Download The RaiseRight Fundraising Playbook and share it with others in your.
- Start a free program by completing a short, online enrollment form.
If your organization is already earning with RaiseRight, you just need your enrollment code to create an account and begin fundraising right away.
