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Let's begin with two very thoughtful teacher appreciation gift ideas that do not involve buying an actual gift:
1. A thank you note or card from a student or parent always pleases a teacher. Even more meaningful is a formal letter, with specific examples illustrating the teacher's dedication, with copies to the principal, superintendent, and school board.
2. Teacher of the Year – An outstanding teacher will be honored to receive a State Teacher of the Year nomination. This teacher appreciation gift idea could be a good class project. A parent or room mother (at lower grade levels) or a middle/high school student delegate should consult with the principal for more information. The National Teacher of the Year is selected from among State winners (including DC, US Territories, and military). Here you'll find the program coordinator in your state.
Teachers who have been in the profession for a number of years have probably seen (and received) the most commonly-given teacher appreciation gift ideas. But teacher gift ideas with an apple theme, are still a good choice for a newer teacher who does not already have them in abundance. Here are some favorites:- glass, metal or wooden apple paperweight
- apple-design mug for coffee or pencils
- tee shirt, necktie, scarf, lapel pin, keychain or other accessories
- desk items: pencils, pads, mouse pad, memo holder, name plate
- Christmas ornaments with apples or a "#1 Teacher" variation
- apple wall plaque, message board, sign or sampler
- tote bag
for Early Grade Levels
At preschool and early grade levels, you might choose a teacher appreciation gift idea for use in connection with classroom projects or decorations:
- Age-appropriate books. Alphabet/word books help build reading readiness, and books of children's stories are popular through the early grades. Duplicates will be welcome in classrooms where children borrow books to take home.
- An apron or smock with lots of pockets is always useful when working with young children.
- A gift certificate to an education supply store or website will help to provide supplies for the classroom or special projects (teachers typically spend a lot of their own money on supplies). American Express or VISA gift cards are more versatile teacher appreciation gift ideas because they can be used at almost any type of store.
- A library kit will help the teacher manage loans of classroom books. Labels and cards are included, so that when a student signs out a book, the teacher will have a record of who has borrowed it. Similar kits are available for music and video libraries.
- A calligraphy set with instructions may introduce a new hobby for the teacher, but in any event will be useful for designing classroom decorations and recognition certificates for students.
- A countdown clock showing number of days, hours & minutes until...
- Teacher appreciation gift ideas made by the students are perennial teacher favorites that can be organized by a classroom aide or room mother. Have each student make one unit that can be joined with the others to form a whole. Examples: gather individually-made paper flowers into a bouquet and add a pretty vase; assemble decorated fabric squares into a quilted wall hanging; collect student self-portraits, poetry, and/or thank-you notes for a scrapbook.
For All Grade Levels
Gifts for teachers are less routinely given at higher grade levels, where classes rotate among teachers of specific subjects. However, a full class may wish to acknowledge their teacher with a gift presented during class time. An individual student should present a teacher appreciation gift outside of class time.
Contributions should always be optional and collected privately or by mail. Those who do not contribute cash may be willing to help provide refreshments or do the shopping. A gift card should be signed by (or on behalf of) all of the students, no matter who has contributed.
Here are some teacher appreciation gift ideas, for group or individual giving, that are related to school:
- Desk accessories: desk pad, file organizer, in/out box, memo & clip holders, pen/pencil set, leather padfolio, rolling file cart
- Lap desk for planning lessons or grading papers in a comfortable chair
- Briefcase or shoulder tote for notebooks, files and student papers; laptop computer carrying case
But a gift idea for a teacher need not be something intended for classroom use. At higher grade levels, teacher gift ideas that reflect the teacher's personal interests may be suggested by the subject he or she teaches. For example:
- Art teacher: kaleidoscope, articulated figures, sand or sand & water art, framed art print or photograph, antique typesetting blocks
- Coach or Physical Ed teacher: stopwatch, tickets to sporting event, game ball, equipment or jacket autographed by the team, historic or autographed sports memorabilia, monogrammed silver whistle
- English teacher: bookends, antique inkwell & pen, first-edition or autographed book, pair of theater tickets, Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words
- Home Economics teacher: gift certificate to fabric and crafts store, subscription to gourmet cooking magazine, specialty cookbook, framed set of antique buttons, serving tray. Or, help the students plan, cook and serve a banquet in their teacher's honor.
- Economics teacher: framed set of coins, bills, or share of stock, money clip, subscription to The Economist, framed cartoon art
- Foreign Language teacher: items related to the country where the language is spoken – framed poster of a landmark, gift basket of food, wine or other products, national flag(s), framed set of money or postage stamps, ethnic music CD or handcrafted gift.
- Computer Science teacher: "antique" abacus or slide rule, flash drive, binary clock or calendar, circuit board clock, gift certificate to computer store or a website.
- Math teacher: fractal geometry art print, 3-D jigsaw puzzle, abacus, "pi" tie tac or poster.
- Drama teacher: framed collage of publicity poster, tickets and program from current year, comedy/tragedy masks or any mask suitable for wall hanging, lighted pen for taking notes in darkened theater, pair of tickets to a show or play.
- Industrial Arts/Shop teacher: antique tools or a framed illustration of them, gift certificate to hardware or home improvement store, subscription to magazine (automotive, metal/woodworking, e.g.)
- History/Geography teacher: framed map or timeline, world globe, book or artwork related to historical figure or period, museum membership, national or historic flag
- Music teacher: antique school bell, pair of concert tickets, biography of a favorite composer, quality music box.
- Guidance Counselor (in the spirit of helping students find their direction or plan for their future): compass – a desk model or on a keychain or pendant, crystal ball paperweight.
- Science teacher: magnifying glass, terrarium or ecosphere, framed DaVinci drawing of a man (biology); mortar and pestle, balance scale, fruit-powered clock – a creative use for that apple! – crystal growing kit (chemistry); geode, weather instruments, framed NASA or Hubbell Telescope photo (earth science); sand-design pendulum, "floating" pen, "persistence of vision" message clock, Galileo thermometer (physics)
As always, the best teacher appreciation gift ideas reflect the recipient's tastes and interests. Parents may be able to obtain teacher gift ideas from room mothers, PTA/PTO officers or other teachers. For students, your classroom discussions (you're paying attention in class, right?) may provide clues to your teacher's tastes and interests.
teacher appreciation gifts are appreciated by teachers!
Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
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