Culture

13 Ways to Show Your Gratitude During US Teacher Appreciation Week in 2024

by: Kristy Bowen

Published on Oct 30th 2024

Every spring, the nation celebrates US Teacher Appreciation Week, devoted to honoring the labor and achievement of educators at all grade levels from pre-K to academia. This is a perfect time of year to show your gratitude and appreciation, including finding the perfect gift for teachers you or your kids love working with. Teacher appreciation gifts run the gamut from material items to small gestures like a handwritten note of thanks. As the year ends, it’s also a chance to present teacher retirement gifts for those finishing their teaching years or moving on to another school.

So, what do you give a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week? Does the USA celebrate Teachers Day? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Teacher Appreciation Week ideas, as well as a host of US Teacher Appreciation Week freebies that educators can take advantage of during May. The gifts range from large and luxurious group gifts to small, budget-friendly things every teacher needs.

What Day is Teacher Appreciation Day?

Roosevelt US Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas — *Eleanor Roosevelt* *started the first national program to recognize American teachers (via Canva)*

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt started the first national program to recognize American teachers in 1953, though the official moniker of US Teacher Appreciation Day or Week was not coined until the 1980s. When is Teacher Appreciation Day? Celebrated during the first full week of May, the celebratory week surrounds Teacher Appreciation Day, a single day, usually a Tuesday, in the week chosen to honor educators. It’s an honored group that is mostly made up of teachers but also includes principals and school staff like administrative workers, counselors and nurses.

What Do You Give a Teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Gift giving for Teacher Appreciation Week is common, both as a celebration of teachers, but also as a parting thank you at the end of the school year. Gifts can be for intended activities and events, like an experience gift card or physical items gifted during the week.

Many teachers favor gift cards for places like teaching material retailers, office supply stores and craft shops, which can be used to purchase materials for the classroom. Others appreciate more personal gifts for their own uses.

What Should You Spend on Teacher Appreciation Gifts?

The amount you want to spend will depend on the relationship you have with a teacher or staff member, as well as your budget capabilities. The average cost for a teacher appreciation gift for a teacher who has schooled your child for an entire year is around $40. Smaller amounts often work well for upper grades where students have many teachers to thank. Some parents go in together on larger, more expensive gifts for individual teachers or school staff as a whole.

Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies

Restaurants

During the first week of May, many restaurants offer discounts and freebies to teachers with a valid school ID, including eateries like Buffalo Wild Wings, Potbelly Sandwich Works and Firehouse Subs. Offers include a percentage off your order, free items like sodas and coffees or free sandwiches and desserts.

Office Supplies

Many office supply retailers like Staples and Office Depot offer great deals to educators all year long, but especially in May surrounding US Teacher Appreciation Week, where you can get deals storewide with a school staff ID or credentials. You will also find particular discounts from brands like Bic and paper companies.

Scholastic Publications

Each spring, the academic publisher offers deals for educators, including the chance to win $550 in supplies and teaching materials for the following year. Their deals include teaching manuals, textbooks and reading books for the classroom, as well as access to teaching and learning databases and websites.

Museums and Cultural Institutions

Many local museums and zoos offer deals for teachers all year long, but especially in May, where teachers can often get free admission and discounts on year-long memberships to enjoy everything from world-class art to science and nature experiences.

US Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas

1. Art Classes

Art classes can be great for teachers to learn new skills they can apply in the classroom, as well as create their own artwork. Classes are available across a number of mediums, including everything from watercolor painting to pottery, where you can find sessions at all skill levels.

You can find great pottery classes in the Bay Area, pottery classes in Los Angeles or pottery classes in Portland, where enrollment makes the perfect US teacher appreciation week gift.

2. Paint and Sip

For a more informal alternative to conventional art classes, why not gift a paint-and-sip session to show your teacher thanks? These fun experiences include making art while
enjoying drinks in a more casual and relaxed environment.

Find paint and sips near you, including paint and sips in Cincinnati, paint and sips in Oklahoma City and paint and sips in Temecula.

3. Gift Card for Craft or Office Supply Store

Teachers are always in need of more supplies both for their classroom and the work they do on their own time as educators. A great US Teacher Appreciation Week gift is a gift card to office supply venues like Staples and OfficeMax. Or give them gift cards to crafts stores like Michaels or shops devoted specifically to selling teaching materials

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4. Amazon Wish List

If you want to coordinate gifting with other parents, try creating an Amazon wishlist with all the things teachers are liable to need for their classrooms the next year. Share the list with other parents and allow them to buy and send the items periodically during the year.

5. Baked Goods

Baked Cookies US Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas — *Homemade cookies will go down a treat (via Canva)*

Baked goods or other food items are always a nice gift, adding a thoughtful homemade touch to honoring your teacher during US Teacher Appreciation Week. Make your own cookies or cupcakes and wrap them in a pretty package or opt for more gourmet and catered items in a beautiful basket.

6. Gift Cards

Gift cards for local or online retailers don’t have to end with school-specific expenses, but can actually be great for other things your teacher spends money on, including coffee chains, restaurants, retailers like Target or Walmart or things to deal with their hobbies. You can also give them an Amazon gift card or Visa gift card where they can choose how or where to use it.

7. Group Gift

Don’t forget other office staff like office admins, counselors and principals, all of whom play a big role in your kids' education. Great gestures of appreciation to the group of admin or teachers as a whole include getting them free lunch during Teacher Appreciation Week, sending baked goods and coffee, a box of snacks or other things that can be enjoyed while working.

8. Handwritten Note or Card

If you are on a budget or your student has a lot of teachers to thank, never underestimate the power of a handwritten note of appreciation discussing how valuable their teaching has been to your student this year and wishing them well.

9. Handmade Gift

Handmade Gift from Child — *A handmade gift is thoughtful and affordable option (via Canva)*

For one of the most special gifts a teacher can receive, try gifting your kids’ teacher something made with your heart and your hands, like a handmade candle, a crocheted scarf or other items that you put love and labor into for a special Teacher Appreciation Week gift.

10. Mug

While many teachers may say they have way too large a collection of mugs from parents over the years, many others are happy to receive yet another one for their collection (teachers need a lot of coffee in their day after all!) Fill it with other candy, snacks or their favorite brew for a nice added touch.

11. Flowers or Plants

Since US Teacher Appreciation Week occurs during the spring planting season, try getting your favorite teacher a new plant or seedlings for their garden to start the summer off right. You can also opt for cut flowers in a vase that can be enjoyed as a group office gift.

12. School Supply Bouquet

For a cute idea for teacher appreciation week, try turning regular office supplies into adorable sculptural arrangements that are not only useful but look really cool. Pencils, markers, glue sticks and tissue boxes can all be turned into clever assemblages with a little ribbon, twine or hot glue.

13. Spa Services Gift Certificate

Spa Service Teacher Appreciation Week — *Any teacher will appreciate the oppurtunity to relax (via Canva)*

By the end of the year, most teachers are looking for a little relaxation during their months off. Get your fave teacher a gift card or certificate at a local spa, where they can take advantage of things like massages, manicures, hair care, as well as things like yoga and meditation classes.

These great ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week are sure to show your kids’ teachers how much their work is valued every single day of the year. They can also help the teachers set up their classrooms for years to come with new learning materials and supplies.

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!