What is Teacher Appreciation? Plus Free Printable

Every year we have teacher appreciation and it means something different to everyone. I worked as a sub for a few years and it was always a time that everyone made a big deal.

What person does not want to be appreciated? I know that teachers work hard all year to help kids. We should work on appreciating them all year.

Teachers Are Important

May is teacher appreciation! It is getting close to the end of the year. Your child’s teacher has had them for almost 180 days of the year. They have helped them grow and learn in some small way. You might not have got along all year for some teachers but they have done their best with everything.

Make sure you have taken the time to let them know you are thankful for their efforts. Teachers hit burn out as much as kids do. A kind word or though from a parent can go a long ways to help them feel better. It can be a simple as a note to let them know you are thankful.

Teacher Gifts

Before you run out and buy a new coffee mug for the teacher ask them what gifts they like to get! They have a lot of students in the classroom and only so much space. I know that a lot of teachers like simple and easy gifts. I know that our school system wants gifts to be under 20 dollars and that they have to report all gifts that they get. Does your school have anything like that?

Can you do a classroom gift instead of individual gifts?
Do they have a favorite place to buy morning drink?
Do they like gift certificates?
Do they have a hobby you could get something for?

Some gift suggestions we got from teachers last year were:

• Gift Certificates for bookstores
• Thank you cards your child has made – keep it small
• Useable items for the classroom they might need: books, stickers, pencils or anything they might use a lot of
• Gift Certificates for local coffee or donut shops
• Have kids write thank you notes

You can also checkout my Pinterest board: Gifts for teachers to get some fun ideas!

There are some free teacher appreciation printables ideas you can use as well!

Some gift that teachers night not want. We had some requests come over the year of what not to give. Here are a few:

• Bags
• Coffe Mugs
• Clothes
• Bags
• No big gifts they have to put somewhere

What can I do to show Appreciation all year?

Well, teacher appreciation should be all year long! I know that most of my girl’s teachers will point out when they need more tissues or disinfectant wipes. This is something I know that I need to work on. I talk to the teachers often and love hearing from them.

You help the teacher and appreciate them when you donate things that they need: tissues, disinfectant wipes, markers, crayons or other items they might run out of during the year. Send an email asking if they need anything. You could ask the room teacher (if you have one) what the teacher has mentioned.

Find out if they need any volunteer help in the classroom.
See if you can do something special for the whole class.
Donate something for special days.
Ask about Books you can donate for that grade level.
Give them coffee or hot chocolate they might be able to use.

Free Teacher Appreciation Bookmarks

I’ve made two different kinds of bookmarks for this years. I plan on printing these and laminating them for our teachers this year. These make really fun gifts for teachers to have. I made three different kinds for you to pick from. I plan to print, laminate, and putting a ribbon on them for my girls teachers. This is something fun for my girls and I.

The first one is general teacher bookmarks that have 4 fun themes. You could print these and give them to teachers through the year. Just fun reminders that you care.

The second kind of bookmarks have “Your Super Power is Teaching” on them. Plus various teachers to pick from. There is both female and male. These work great for Teacher Appreciation week to give to lots of teachers!

What you will find in the Teacher Appreciation Bookmarks printables:

• 3 pages of printables
• 1 set of general school teacher bookmarks
• 1 set of female bookmarks
• 1 set of male bookmarks

Click here to get your copy of the Free Teacher Appreciation Bookmark Printables.

Check out these other posts on Teacher Appreciation:

• Teacher Appreciation Day: The Best Gift of All by Share it! Science News

Be sure to check out the other months school themed posts:

• Back to School: Free Weekly School Calendar
• Managing Homework Ideas & Free Homework Punch Cards
• Keeping an Open Communication with Teachers – Free Note to Teacher Printable
• Holiday Celebrations in School
• Supporting School Projects
• Taking Tests in School
• Mommy, Am I Being Bullied?

Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com

Graphics from Melonheadz Illustrating and Doodles and Scrapping Doodles