When is Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025? Dates & celebration ideas
In this guide
- What is Teacher Appreciation Week and why does it matter?
- When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 in the U.S.?
- Creative celebration ideas for classrooms and schools
- Student-led appreciation projects and activities
- Thank-you note inspiration for teachers
- Gift inspiration for teachers from parents and students
- Appreciation ideas for teachers from administrators
What is Teacher Appreciation Week and why does it matter?
Teacher Appreciation Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the hard work educators put in for their students as they learn and grow. The role of a good teacher can transform a student’s life.
Being a teacher can sometimes feel like a thankless job. Some days it can feel like no one sees you. Teacher Appreciation Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the work teachers do everyday.
Teacher Appreciation Week began with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1953. She asked Congress to create an official day to recognize teachers. In 1980, the National Education Board and the state education boards of Kansas and Indiana joined the cause and petitioned Congress to create a national day to honor teachers.
In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association was able to have the day expanded to the first week in May. Since then, this week has been set aside as a time to show gratitude for the work of teachers.
Working with students is rewarding but often exhausting. While teachers should be shown appreciation all year, Teacher Appreciation Week is a great time to show extra support and love for the people that mold and shape the lives of young people every day.
When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 in the U.S.?
Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated in the United States during the first full week in May. In 2025, U.S. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5th – May 9th. During this time, teachers around the country will be celebrated for their service to the nation’s children.
The following activities can be used to recognize teachers and their contributions during Teacher Appreciation Week. Any or all of them would help to make teachers feel valued during this week.
Creative celebration ideas for classrooms and schools
1) Video thank you
Instead of writing thank you notes, create a thank you video. Record students, administrators, and parents saying thank you to teachers.
- Students could also share their favorite memory of their teacher.
- Administrators can share why they are grateful for teachers and their hard work.
- Parents can share positive affirmations and the impact teachers have had on their students.
Share this video with teachers via email, during a staff meeting, or during an appreciation breakfast or lunch.
2) Teacher wall of fame
Create a teacher wall of fame to be displayed in the school.
- Include a picture of each teacher and the ways that they are making an impact.
- Share information about the teachers like how long they have been a teacher, what they teach, and personal quotes about why they love teaching.
3) Teacher selfies
Students can take selfies with their teachers. These can be posted on the school website during Teacher Appreciation Week. Include a short quote from the student about their teacher and why they are important in the students’ lives.
For extra fun, create a “My Favorite Teacher” photo booth with a backdrop and props. Students can take a picture with their favorite teacher(s). The pictures can be put together into a collage or mural and displayed somewhere prominent like the cafeteria.
4) Decorate the teachers’ lounge, doors, and/or hallways
Put up decorations like balloons, streamers, banners, and posters to show teachers how much they are appreciated. Students can help create decorations too.
Include messages of thanks and encouragement for teachers.
These decorations can stay up all week!
5) Appreciation wall
Set up a large wall space or bulletin board in a place where students and teachers pass on a regular basis. Include pictures of teachers (or a staff picture).
Include sticky notes and writing utensils in a prominent place near the wall.
Students, administrators, and other staff members can write thank you notes to the teachers. They can also write notes of appreciation and encouragement for the school’s teachers.
Student-led appreciation projects and activities
Students of all ages should be given the opportunity to celebrate the educators in their lives. The following activities are suitable for any age group of students.
1) Appreciation murals
Designate an area or bulletin board for students to create an appreciation mural. Students can draw pictures, write poems, and thank-you notes. These can be made into a mural to display in the teachers’ lounge or other place that teachers visit during the week.
2) Secret helpers
Students can do small tasks for teachers without being asked.
Ideas include: picking up trash in the classroom, sharpening pencils, organizing the classroom library, wiping off desks, watering the class plant, or other small tasks.
The idea is to do something helpful just to be nice without needing acknowledgement.
3) Superhero posters
Students make posters of their teachers as superheroes. Include pictures and superpowers. This activity allows students to be creative and to highlight their teacher’s unique characteristics.
Ideas for teacher “superpowers”:
- Heart sense – ability to show empathy.
- Storm breaker – ability to be calm in the face of chaos.
- Memory unlocker – ability to help students recall information.
- Patience power – ability to be patient even when it is difficult.
- Motivation maker – ability to motivate students to do their best.
- Supersonic hearing – ability to hear every student.
- Writing whisperer – ability to read any student’s handwriting, no matter how messy.
4) Interview a teacher
These interviews can also be called flash interviews because they are short.
Create videos of these interviews and share them with teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. The videos can also be shared on the school website, during video announcements, or in electronic newsletters.
Interview question ideas:
- What do you love most about being a teacher?
- What do you find most challenging about being a teacher?
- What is your favorite memory from this school year?
- If you could instantly give your students one skill, what would it be?
- What made you decide to become a teacher?
- Who was a teacher that had an impact in your own life?
5) My teacher’s words of wisdom
In this activity, students create motivational posters with words of wisdom from their teachers.
These words of wisdom can include advice their teachers give or positive sayings that their teachers use often. For example, as my high school students leave each day I tell them to “Make good choices.”
Students can make colorful motivational posters and attribute them to their teachers.
Display these around the school.
6) Appreciation parade
Use the signs and posters expressing gratitude that students make and hold an indoor parade. Line the school hallways with students and other staff members.
Teachers walk the halls and receive cheers and/or high fives.
Play upbeat music over the loudspeaker or, if the school has a band or drumline, ask them to lead the parade!
Thank-you note inspiration for teachers
Traditional thank-you notes are an excellent way to show appreciation for teachers and allow students to practice their writing skills. Include those as a part of Teacher Appreciation Week.
The following activities can also serve as “thank-you notes”.
1) Compliment/memory jars
Collect empty jars with lids for each teacher. On strips of paper, students write compliments, memories, and encouraging words for their teacher.
Place the pieces of paper in the jar. Decorate the outside of the jar with the teacher’s name and any other decorations.
Share the jars with teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
2) Acrostic poems
An acrostic poem is a poem that has a word or phrase written down one side of a paper. Then another word or phrase is used for each letter of the original word. The words used in an acrostic poem are related.
Create acrostic poems for teachers to show appreciation.
Use words that encourage teachers, describe teachers’ characteristics, and express gratitude.
These can be given to teachers or displayed in the school.
3) Teachers help us grow
This activity would be most appropriate for younger students.
Use colorful ink pads, paper, and markers to make flowers. The petals of the flowers are made using student thumbprints. These make daisy-like flowers which students can use as the basis for writing short thank-you’s next to their flowers.
This can also be done with paint, poster board, and handprints. Use students’ whole hands to make handprint flowers. Once the paint dries, students write thank-you messages next to their handprint.
4) Sidewalk chalk thank you’s
This activity is fun for all ages of students.
Use sidewalk chalk and allow students to write appreciation notes and draw pictures on the sidewalks leading up to the school. These will be visible to teachers as they walk up to the school.
This is a great activity because it requires minimal materials and is easy to clean up.
5) Digital thank you cards
Create digital thank you cards for teachers.
Use a digital platform like Canva to create digital cards. Include pictures and heartfelt messages of thanks.
There are also websites that have free, customizable ecards like BlueMountain.com.
These can be emailed to teachers throughout Teacher Appreciation Week.
Gift inspiration for teachers from parents and students
Giving gifts is a traditional part of Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers give so much to their schools, classrooms, and students, so gifts are a way to acknowledge their contributions.
Gifts do not have to be elaborate or expensive. They can be handmade or store-bought. The important thing to focus on is showing appreciation to teachers for their work. A way to make gift giving more personal is to include teachers’ favorite things. Asking teachers to complete a form (usually at the beginning of the year) that lists their favorite things such as snacks, drinks, places to shop, restaurants, colors, and hobbies can serve as a great starting point for gift giving.
1) Personalized gifts
A personalized gift can be very meaningful for teachers. Consider gifts that are fun and practical. Stationary, a water bottle, totes, and lanyards are a few examples of thoughtful and personalized gifts.
Personalized gifts should be functional and practical. Give a teacher something they can use that reflects their personality and interests.
2) Books
Books are an excellent gift for teachers. There are a variety of books that can be purchased and given during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Books about being a teacher, inspirational books for teachers, or books about a teacher’s interests would be appropriate.
Another great gift is books for a teacher’s classroom library. Students can write a note to their teacher inside the cover of the book. Students can select books that they have read in class or that would be fun to read in the classroom.
Most teachers spend their own money to buy books for their classroom, and this would help them build their library.
3) Gift cards
If you do an internet search for gifts for teachers, gift cards frequently make the list. A gift card allows a person to choose what they want! Gift cards can also be personalized to a teacher’s interests.
Choose a teacher’s favorite store or restaurant for a more personalized touch. Teachers also appreciate gift cards to online places like Amazon so they can buy something specific for themselves.
4) Gift basket
A gift basket that includes items from a teacher’s favorites list is also a thoughtful gift.
One of the great things about gift baskets is that they can be customizable. A gift basket can include gift cards, snacks, self-care items, books, and personalized items.
A gift basket does not have to be huge or overly expensive. A few well curated items can be a special treat for a hard working teacher.
5) Volunteer
Time management is a huge part of being an educator. Volunteering time to help a teacher can be a great and inexpensive gift. Volunteering time to help a teacher does not have to mean working with students.
Offer to laminate or cut out materials. Helping a teacher to label and organize materials can also be helpful.
If you are not sure how to be helpful, ask the teacher – they can give you ideas on ways that volunteering in their classroom
Appreciation ideas for teachers from administrators
It is important that teachers feel appreciated by their administrators. Everyone wants to feel like they matter to their boss! It is also important for teachers to feel valued by the parents of their students.
When choosing a gift as an administrator, it is of the utmost importance to strive for a meaningful gift. The gift should be appropriate to the occasion and not require more work from teachers.
Consider;
1) Gratitude letters
Teachers can sometimes feel underappreciated by their administrators. A card or letter written to teachers that expresses thanks for their contribution to the school.
Administrators are incredibly busy, so I know this is a big ask, but taking the time to express personal appreciation can go a long way to creating a positive school environment.
2) Drink station
A drink station is a great way to show appreciation to teachers. My school did this recently for the teachers and it was awesome. It is nice to have a little pick me up during the school day.
Include a variety of options – various sodas, flavored waters, coffee drinks, etc.
Giving options means that all teachers will feel included. Not everyone drinks sugary drinks or plain water.
3) Extra time
Time is a precious commodity in education as teachers have a million things to do in a day. Giving teachers an extra 20-30 minutes for their lunch or break is a generous way to show appreciation.
When I was an instructional specialist, my partner and I did this for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. We gave them each a 20 minute break. We set up our office with snacks, drinks, and relaxing music. Then we went into their rooms and covered their classes. For some teachers it gave them extra time during their lunch and for others it was during their conference period. All of the teachers greatly appreciated the extra time.
You could also consider bringing in food for the teachers to enjoy during an extended lunch time, or a regular lunch time.
Many teachers have a short lunch time that can include walking their students to the cafeteria, making copies, heating up their own lunch, personal phone calls to make appointments, and many other activities. Providing a meal can make it possible for a teacher to stop, relax, and enjoy their lunch break.
4) Snack cart
Similar to the idea behind the drink station, the snack cart offers a treat to teachers.
Load a cart with various snacks including granola bars, snack cakes, trail mix, fruit, candy, etc.
The idea is to include a variety of snacks that can appeal to many different tastes.
Take the snack cart around to teachers and allow them to choose a snack.
5) School swag
Give teachers a way to show their school spirit while showing appreciation. Items like scarves, hoodies, t-shirts, and umbrellas are all appropriate.
These items are practical and useful. These are a nice way to say thank you to your teachers for being a valuable part of our school community.
6) Simply say thank you
While the above ideas are more elaborate, an encouraging email or handwritten note can also go a long way towards brightening a teacher’s day.
Letting a teacher know what you appreciate about them and how they are making a difference in the lives of their students is a huge morale booster. Teachers want to know they are having a positive impact!
Teacher Appreciation Week is a time to celebrate the educators that make a difference in the lives of students. Take time during this week to acknowledge and show appreciation for a teacher in your life.
Mattie Farrer
briefcase iconAVID Site Coordinator / Content Curator
Mattie Farrer has been an educator in various grade levels and capacities during her career. She has a passion for supporting English learners and their language development. She also loves helping teachers reach all students.
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