5 Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week

Education

5 Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week

Written by: Wilson College • Jun 11, 2025

A Group of Students and Their Teacher Smile and Pose During Teacher Appreciation Week.

Teachers are some of the hardest-working professionals in the country. In its 2024 survey of teachers, research organization Rand determined that teachers worked an average of 53 hours per week, nine hours more than the 44 hours per week that comparable adults worked.

In addition to working hard, teachers make a difference in the lives of their students every day. The critical role they play in education deserves recognition, and one way to do that is through Teacher Appreciation Week. Celebrated every year during the first full week of May, this year May 5-9, Teacher Appreciation Week is a time to reflect on teachers’ contributions, acknowledge their work, and show them how much their efforts are valued.

Educators who have been considering earning a Master of Education degree and aspire to work in a leadership position in education can benefit from exploring Teacher Appreciation Week ideas and how to support the important work that teachers do.

What Is Teacher Appreciation Week?

Learning about its origins is a good way to understand what Teacher Appreciation Week is. In 1953, former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt proposed that Congress identify a day to recognize the efforts of teachers. The National Parent Teacher Association expanded on that concept in 1984 and selected a week in May—Teacher Appreciation Week—to celebrate teachers and honor their contributions.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, educators are recognized and rewarded in a variety of ways. For example:

Students, parents, and anyone who wants to acknowledge teachers’ work express their gratitude in a host of ways.
Schools conduct events to honor teachers and their hard work.
Local businesses make donations to support teachers’ classrooms.
Large corporations offer teachers deals on free or discounted goods and services.

Making an effort to recognize teachers for their contributions can have the added benefit of making them more effective educators. According to analytics and polling firm Gallup, periodically recognizing teachers’ work can:

Improve teachers’ productivity
Strengthen teachers’ engagement in their work
Influence teachers to continue working at their current schools
Result in higher student and parent satisfaction levels

5 Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas to Celebrate Teachers

People and organizations can choose from a wide range of options to celebrate teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. The Teacher Appreciation Week ideas below are just a few examples of how to express appreciation for the work that teachers do.

1. Personal Notes and Gifts of Appreciation

A simple heartfelt note of appreciation to a teacher can be a great way to recognize their work. People also can consider reaching out to teachers from their own school days and expressing their appreciation for the influence those teachers had in their lives.

Giving small gifts such as gift cards, books, baked goods, or flowers also can be a good way for individuals to show teachers their appreciation.

2. Gifts of Time

Another great idea for Teacher Appreciation Week is to offer a gift of time. For example, individuals can volunteer to:

Help a teacher with tasks such as making copies or cutting out materials for art projects
Tutor students or read them stories
Decorate a teacher’s classroom or bulletin boards
Chaperone a school event
Work as a greeter to welcome students to a school or a classroom

Teachers are not the only people who can benefit from gifts of time. A 2023 report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation noted that when students’ families are involved and engaged at their children’s schools, the students’ educational outcomes often improve.

3. Group Expressions of Appreciation

Parents and other volunteers can join together to show teachers how much they appreciate them. For example, they can organize a group to:

Stage a school assembly at which teachers receive recognition
Launch a school supplies drive
Hold a breakfast or luncheon to honor teachers
Bring students together to provide a class gift to a teacher
Start a school fundraising initiative to help ensure that teachers have the resources they need

4. Collaboration With Local Businesses

Another example of a Teacher Appreciation Week idea is to reach out to local businesses for donations, discounts, or other ways to recognize teachers. For example, parents can:

Solicit donations of funds or school supplies from local businesses
Coordinate with local businesses such as restaurants, salons, or bookstores to offer teachers discounts on purchases
Ask local businesses to organize their employees to participate in volunteer activities at their local schools
Contact local media outlets and encourage them to recognize teachers in their broadcasts or on social media

5. Advocacy Efforts

Advocating for teachers year-round is another powerful way to show support and appreciation for everything teachers do. For example, individuals can:

Advocate for adequate teacher pay and benefits
Attend school board meetings and express support for teachers in areas such as school funding and class sizes
Stay informed about topics such as curriculum changes and school policies and share their knowledge with others in the community

To help teachers do their jobs successfully, parents also can remain actively engaged in their children’s education. Doing things such as sending their children to school well rested, creating spaces at home to facilitate homework, and staying up to date on the status of school projects can be ways of supporting both their children’s and the teacher’s success.

How Can Administrators Support Teacher Appreciation Week?

School administrators are in a unique position to offer particularly meaningful expressions of appreciation to the teachers in their schools. Examples of Teacher Appreciation Week ideas for administrators include:

Visiting classrooms and offering teachers the opportunity to take a break
Offering to take on teachers’ lunchroom or recess duty
Helping teachers rearrange their classrooms or complete other tasks for which they may need assistance

Administrators also can think creatively and do things such as:

Making videos of students expressing their appreciation for their teachers
Assembling parents in a parking lot to give teachers a round of applause as they leave for the day
Actively encouraging members of the community and parents to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week Is a Time to Show Teachers How Much They Are Valued

Teachers appreciate the support they receive during Teacher Appreciation Week and throughout the school year. No matter what Teacher Appreciation Week ideas people employ, the key is to support teachers in ways that enable them and their students to succeed.

Individuals who are interested in advancing their expertise in education can explore Wilson College Online’s Master of Education degree program to learn how it can help them reach their career goals. Offering the flexibility of a self-paced format, the program helps educators enhance their teaching skills and learn about new educational strategies and technologies. Start moving your career in education forward today with Wilson College Online.

Recommended Readings

How to Create an Inclusive Classroom

How to Make a Career Change to Teaching

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Education?

Sources:

The Annie E. Casey Foundation, “Parental Involvement vs. Parental Engagement”

Booster, “20 Creative Teacher Appreciation Ideas”

Education Week, “How Can Parents Best Support Teachers? We Asked”

FutureFund, “20 No-Cost Teacher Appreciation Ideas”

Gallup, “Why Appreciating Teachers Is More Important Than You Think”

HMH Education Company, “Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas From Principals and Administrators”

Kiplinger, “30 Deals, Discounts and Freebies for Teacher Appreciation Week”