Every year, teacher’s work hard to make sure their students walk out of their classroom smarter than when they entered it. Often, they put their all into each day and even empty out their wallets to ensure their students have the best learning materials. So, on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 9, you may want to take some time to show your appreciation for the teachers in your life. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune on them though as there are lots of great ways to say thank you that cost next to nothing. So, check out these ten tips and see if there’s anything that will make the teacher in your life feel loved.
1. Volunteer
One of the best things you can do for a teacher is lend your services to them. It doesn’t matter if you’re skilled in education as most teachers could always use a pair of hands around the classroom. Try asking your teacher if there is anything you can do to make their job a little easier. Sometimes, teachers need someone to help out with homework or to simply chaperon a class activity. Other times, teachers will ask for baked good or other supplies to help make the students happier in the classroom. No matter what you choose to do the teachers in your life are sure to be thankful for the help, especially since they are often overwhelmed and need a moment to breathe.
2. Bring Coffee
Believe it or not, simply bringing your teacher a cup of coffee on Teacher Day may be the key to her heart. You may want to hint around to see if they have a special order of coffee before the big day, especially if you plan on going to a chain to pick up the coffee. If you want to save on some money, then simply brew some coffee at home and place it in a disposable cup, or buy your teacher a special cup they can treasure for years to come. You can even keep it simple by buying a bag of coffee and dressing it up as a gift. No matter what you choose to do, most teachers will be pleased by the extra jolt of caffeine that will help them get through the day.
3. Donate Supplies
Most teachers end up having to spend their hard earned money on the supplies that parents don’t send on the first day of school or those not budgeted for their classroom. This can really leave them in a bind, especially when they don’t want their students to suffer because of lack of funding. This Teacher’s Day, you may want to find out what your teacher typically needs more of in the classroom and bring it in. Since it is so late in the year, your student might not end up using it, but your donation will help out students in the future as well as your teacher. Of course, items don’t have to be brand new either. You can even turn in used crayons, pencils and so on. You may even make a pledge to donate what is left of your child’s school supplies when the school year ends. With the extra items in stock, the teacher might not have to worry about shopping for a little while.
4. DIY Bouquet
Bouquets can be a little pricey in the month of May, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving your teacher the flowers he or she deserves on Teacher’s Day. You can easily work up your own bouquet from scratch. For instance, you can have your student pick a batch of flowers from your garden outside. Even dandelions will make a great option for most teachers, so if you don’t have roses or tulips growing don’t stress out. If you don’t want to go the natural way, then pull out your craft supplies. You can easily come up with a colorful bouquet of a variety of flowers made out of paper or silk, which is certain to not only make your teacher’s day, but also impress them.
5. DIY Gift Basket
Gift baskets are a great way to show you care about someone, so you might want to consider building one up for the teacher in your life. You can easily make a basket and fill it with junk food that your teacher may want to eat during her breaks at school. If you’re not sure what to pack then you can always make it teacher oriented. That is, fill it with a couple apples, some pencils, chalk and so on. This should make your teacher happy and she will love the extra thought put into it. Some stores will even sell specific items for Teacher’s Day, so you might want to grab a pin, patch or mug to add into the mix.
6. Present an Award
A lot of teachers don’t get the appreciation they deserve day in and day out. So, for Teacher’s Day you may want to present them with an award to show them just how much of a difference they have made in your student’s life. There are many companies that will make up customized plaques or ribbons at a fair price. These can last for years and will help boost your teacher’s confidence. Of course, if you don’t have the money to spend on one of these items then there are lots of customizable awards that you can print out online. All you have to do is fill in the information for your teacher and print it out. If you want to go the extra mile then add a picture frame to the mix to make it look official. Of course, if you really want to make your teacher feel special, add in a specific reason for the award, so they will know just where they are doing their best quality work.
7. Kids’ Craft
Most teachers, especially those who work with younger children, love getting artwork from their students. There is something special about a child putting a little love into a project made just for you. So, for Teacher’s Day, you may want to ask your student to sit down and make something special for their teacher. This can be anything from a simple drawing to a large science project based on information they learned from their teacher. Of course, you will have to make it age specific, so your child won’t feel overwhelmed. You can find a variety of craft ideas for teachers online though, including #1 teacher mugs and shirts.
8. Memory Book
A lot of teachers love to know they have made a difference in their students’ lives. This can be great inspiration for the perfect gift for your teacher. You may want to sit down with your child and have them talk about their favorite memories in class. While chatting, write down the memories so you can have them to reference later on. Once you’ve picked out the memories, write them in a book so your child can share them with their teacher and classroom. You can even have the child illustrate the book or add in pictures that you took during the school year. You can make your book out of simple construction paper or have it professionally bound so your teacher can cherish it for decades to come.
9. Gift Card
If you’re not sure what to do for your teacher this Teacher’s Day, then you can always go with a gift card. You don’t have to put a lot on the card either as most teachers will be surprised to even receive a gift on their special day. Consider grabbing a gift card from a local coffee shop, so your teacher can grab their favorite type of coffee before class begins. You might also consider a gift card from a department store, so they can pick up supplies needed for class or some of their favorite snacks. Another option is for a restaurant, so your teacher can stop and grab lunch on a particularly hard day at school. No matter what you choose to give, it is sure to bring some joy to a teacher who is gearing up to finish off the school year.
10. Bake
Sometimes, budgets don’t always work for sending gifts to school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give something special on Teacher’s Day. One great option for a gift is to send in some of your homemade baking. You can whip up cookies, cakes, muffins or whatever your specialty is. This is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face, especially during the afternoon when they just want a little to sugar to power through the rest of the day. If you’re feeling ambitious then you might even add on a special message using frosting or decorations. This personal touch is certain to leave your teacher feeling like they’ve experienced the best Teacher’s Day ever.
Celebrating the teachers in your life is incredibly important because they help shape the lives of everyone around us. Thus, this Teacher’s Day, you may want to do something special to show your appreciation for the hard work that they do. After all, most teachers are overlooked, so make sure they feel special on their holiday.
