We firmly believe that teachers deserve gratitude throughout the year. And we will take it in the form of higher pay and stronger laws, making schools safer for everyone. But we are fans of the official Teacher Appreciation Day and our Teacher Appreciation Week. Here are some details about the teacher’s appreciation week and ideas to celebrate it in a way that teachers really enjoy themselves.
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Download free thanks cards with options that include specific cards for subjects such as ELA, Mathematics, Music, PE, and more. They are all free to download and print, making it easier than ever to thank your favorite teachers in Teacher Appreciation Week!
When will teachers be grateful for in 2025?
US Teacher Appreciation Week will be held from May 5-9, 2025, with Teacher Appreciation Day Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Teacher Appreciation Week is held each year in the first week of May and has been celebrated since 1984. Meanwhile, Teacher Appreciation Day will be held in the United States on the first Tuesday of May. (World Teachers Day is held every October. This holiday is available here.)
Many businesses offer teacher discounts and deals during Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrating and praise teachers. Find the best teacher appreciation discounts and deals here.
Jump:
History of Teacher Appreciation Week
Eleanor Roosevelt was the first to convince Congress that he needed dedication to thank his teachers for his efforts in the 1950s. The first lady really understood what it really meant to be a teacher.
“Of course, teachers are among the most important people in our country,” she wrote in 1953. Next to my parents, they are the most important people in our community. ”
Roosevelt continued. But I think if we were aware of their importance, we could compensate teachers in our community a little more appropriately. ”
The 81st Conference declared the 1953 National Teacher Day at the 1953 urges by Roosevelt. However, I didn’t know the holidays right away. In 1980, Congress declared National Teacher Day on March 7th, but that was only that year. Until 1984, the National PTA established the Teacher Appreciation Week in the first week of May, with Teacher Appreciation Day being held on the Tuesday of that week.
What do teachers really want in the week of teacher appreciation?
We’ve said that before, but we’ll say it again: What teachers really want is to be valued, paid fairly and supported in their work. They want a safe educational environment and reasonable class size, and have quality resources to meet the needs of all students. Teachers want a functioning device. Latest, relevant and diverse texts. And a wealth of classroom supplies they don’t have to pay from their own pockets.
Above all, teachers want respect. They want to be recognized as professional, hardworking, dedicated, responsible and educated workers. Teachers want trust and freedom to make decisions about what they teach and how to teach them. They want administrators who will support their decisions and provide the professional development they need to stay at the top of the game.
Many of these are automatically provided in other professions. But for some reason, teachers need to constantly ask for supplies, better wages, support, respect and recognition. The best way you can really help a teacher is to use the teacher’s gratitude week to advocate for what they really want and need, both inside and outside the classroom.
25 US Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas for 2025
That being said, teachers want to be recognized for all their efforts. Also, Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to do it! By the end of the long grade, teachers had given them everything each day. So show them some love this week. These teacher appreciation ideas are a great way to get started.
1. Collect thank you notes
@raptor.keyclub via Instagram
Meaningful teacher appreciation notes are always highly appreciated, so that these examples can prove. It can help students and families to submit requests and fill out a form or write a letter to show their appreciation to their teachers. Please prompt or ask a question to make something a little easier like this:
Why do you like your teacher? What cool did your teacher teach you this year? What makes your teacher special? Share a special story about your teacher.
Don’t forget to return a letter and make it easier for your family to respond to the most effective methods (such as office, email, snail emails, etc.).
2. Thank you, I’ll record the video
Invite students and families to record a quick thank you video. Send them directly to your teacher or post them on your school’s social media account so that others can appreciate them.
3. Covers your daily obligations
Ask parents, administrators and school board members to volunteer time to cover breaks and lunch obligations so that teachers can take much needed breaks. Parent volunteers can also handle tasks such as making copies, assembling supply for projects, and organizing classroom bookshelves.
4. I’ll give you a future coupon
Teachers provide flexibility by providing coupons that they can trade for future support. (However, please make sure that it does not cover other teachers. Instead, arrange for administrators and parents to intervene as needed.) Some possible ideas:
Depart early or arrive late for your obligations (lunch, drop-off/picking etc.).
5. Create a collaboration
One principal says she will take over art classes for a week and work with students to create a specially large art piece for teachers. It’s a collaborative and visual way to be grateful for everything they’re doing. Check out your favorite collaborative art projects.
6. Decorate the door
@adventuresofmsmith via Instagram
By decorating the door, you celebrate your teacher with loud and proud voices. This costs little. It takes time and parental volunteers to pull it off. One principal turns his teacher into a superhero, with big face cutouts and cape!
7. Write a message on the chalk on the sidewalk
This is a fun and easy way to welcome teachers up to their own day. Invite your family the night before (check the weather) and come early before school starts.
8. Let the barista give the teacher a coffee
Set up your own hallway Starbucks and create delicious caffeine-filled treats for your teachers. This takes some help from great volunteers, but if you pull it off, the teacher will talk about it for a long time.
9. Create a collaboration bouquet
One principal asked each student to bring one flower and created a bouquet. This is a really sweet and inexpensive way to help families contribute, especially in areas where everyone has their own backyard gardens.
10. Wash the teacher’s car
We heard from the principal who said they would coordinate with coaches and athletics to establish a car washing station in the week of teacher appreciation. It’s free for all teachers and involves students as well. It’s very creative!
11. Please buy some lunch
This is a standard teacher appreciation event, but it is always appreciated. Vote for teachers, choose a location, and place your orders in advance so that all teachers get what they want. (If possible, we provide some places that teachers can choose when ordering.) Then make sure you can actually enjoy the meal long enough (and stress-free!).
12. Host Cookout
@MHS_TOMOROWSTEACHERS via Instagram
Invite parents and community volunteers to throw chefs at lunchtime. Tables and chairs are set up outside and all food is available throughout the teacher’s lunchtime. They swing when lunch break arrives, grab a barbecue and relax in the sun with their colleagues.
13. Bring a food truck or ice cream truck with you
This is very popular, but you might need a little more cash. Reduce costs by asking food trucks to donate or offer discounts. (You never know!) If that is not possible, please make a public invitation for donations from school families and community members.
14. Room service is provided
Put notes on the door of a teacher who provides room service. Handling of lists, coffee, water, chocolate, fruit, etc. You will be asked to select one or two items and then make a request to the door by a specific time. Collect notes, stop by and leave the teacher’s requested items by the end of the day. This gives administrators the opportunity to get face time with all educators.
15. I rent an ice cream machine that week
Teachers can give thanks to all teachers for a week through the magic of rental. Set up so that your teacher can always get ice cream. (You can also rent popcorn machines, snow corn machines, etc.) It’s very sweet!
16. Massage provided at the mini spa
Want to help teachers relax? A massage might be your ticket! If you have a budget, ask if there are students at your local massage school who are happy to volunteer. You can also email parents asking if someone is a massage therapist. A sign-up sheet will be provided for teachers to get a massage and set it up all in an empty classroom with soft music, aromatherapy and other treats.
17. Ask local businesses to offer prizes and discounts
Visit local shops and restaurants to see if you’re willing to offer teachers discounts and free items during Teacher Appreciation Week. They can provide items to provide teachers at schools, or they can stop by the teacher directly to get discounts and prizes.
18. Roll up the red carpet
@confetewithme via Instagram
Ask your local company if you want to donate a red carpet rental or make your own from paper. Next, each teacher will give stars on a walk of fame and cheer them on by lining up the carpet with students and administrators!
19. Invite graduates to visit
This is the perfect time to ask former students to visit old teachers and classrooms! They can provide sincere gratitude directly. If they can’t make it, they can instead send a message to share with the teacher.
20. Make a poster to celebrate teachers
Here are 5 free posters. Provide poster boards, markers, glitter and other equipment and make colorful posters to line up in the hall during Teacher Appreciation Week.
21. Take them to the ball game
Staff Days are arranged at the local ballpark and features complimentary seating, drinks and snacks. The teacher is relaxed, cheering on the team, hanging along with the teacher’s best!
twenty two. Share teacher appreciation estimates
Write quotes in sticky notes and hang them around school or put them in your teacher’s mailbox instead. This summary of 100 teacher appreciation quotes ensures that you can provide another inspirational idea to all of your educators.
twenty three. Thank you Please post the wall
@shrewsburyhkg via Instagram
Another fun way to use sticky notes is: Set the wall space aside and provide sticky notebooks and pens nearby. Students stop by throughout the week, write notes celebrating their favorite teachers and post them on the wall for everyone to read. At the end of the week, teachers can grab and save and remember their favorites.
twenty four. Give them a gift
Teachers always appreciate thoughtful gifts, but frankly, they already have enough mugs, bottles of water and candles. Instead, take a look at these teacher gift ideas. See all price range options.
twenty five. Better yet, give me a gift card
This is the number one teacher gift educator because they can choose what they really want. Check out their top gift card picks here.
Don’t forget to grab a free printable thanks card for your teacher!
We are teachers
This free collection of printable cards makes it easy for kids to thank their favorite teachers. Just print, sign and stream!
