Resources by Topic:

• Thank-You Notes
• Creative Gift Ideas
• Celebrate On Social Media
• Other Ways to Give Thanks
• Additional Resources from Edutopia
• Additional Resources on the Web

Teachers, principals, coaches, librarians, and other school staff put themselves on the line everyday for our kids. And, they don’t often get recognized for this challenging work—a little bit of thanks can go a long way! Looking for ways to express your gratitude? Check out the resources below for gift ideas, thank-you note tips, ways to celebrate on social media, and more.

Before you dig in, watch “Thank a Teacher,” courtesy of Mudpies & Butterflies, for an inspiring reminder about the significance of great teachers.

Thank-You Notes

A heartfelt note is something every teacher is sure to appreciate. Whether via handwritten notes or digital formats, express your thanks and encourage your child to do the same. Below are some tips and examples that you can use as guides.

Think Back on What Your Own Teachers Gave You (Edutopia, 2014)
Edutopia blogger Heather Wolpert-Gawron thanks the teachers who taught her about writing.

Dear Teachers: Thank You for Sharing Our “Autism Life” (SmartBlog on Education, 2014)
Amy Price Azano, a professor of adolescent literacy at Virginia Tech, shares a moving “thank you” with her child’s teachers.

In every day in May 2012, Edutopia featured a different way to appreciate educators. Browse all our tips related to expressing your appreciation, collected below.

• Write a Thank-You Note
• Write a Haiku
• Create a Wordle of Thanks
• Do a Presentation of Thanks Using PowerPoint-Karaoke
• Send a JibJab eCard

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Teacher Gift Ideas

Parent Voice: The Gifts Teachers Really Appreciate (Edutopia, 2013)
Joyce Slaton Lollar, a parent who cares, shares the results of her informal survey about the gifts teachers really want to receive for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Teacher Appreciation Week 2012 (Edutopia, 2012)
Browse this brief guide to gift ideas, assembled with suggestions provided by Edutopia's online community. For even more ideas from educators and parents about the types of gifts teachers really appreciate, dive into Edutopia's community discussion on teacher gifts for the holidays.

Browse a few of the gift ideas from Edutopia's 2012 teacher appreciation project, collected below.

• Donate to a Charity in Honor of Your Teacher
• Create a QR Code Scavenger Hunt That Leads to a Surprise
• Give a Nerdy Gift
• Give a Gift Certificate
• Give Classroom Supplies
• Plant a Tree in Honor of Your Teacher
• Give Homemade Treats
• Cook a Cultural Dish
• Tidy Up the Teacher's Lounge
• Create a Farmer's Market Bouquet

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Celebrate On Social Media

Follow and favorite teachers on social media, and check for updates throughout the school year. Use the hashtag #TeachersMatter on Twitter to celebrate teachers, and hop on Pinterest to check out Edutopia’s“Thanks” pinboard.

Celebrate National Teacher Day on Social Media (National Education Association, 2014)
The National Education Association encourages you to make a six-second video on Vine to#ThankATeacher.

Here are some additional ways to celebrate teachers on social media, collected from Edutopia’s 2012 teacher appreciation project.

• Organize an Online Wall to Thank a Teacher
• Support an Educator on Twitter
• Show Your Gratitude with a Video Conference

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Other Ways to Give Thanks

My Teacher, My Hero (Presented by Teaching Channel)
My Teacher, My Hero provides opportunities to highlight and celebrate teachers across America. Go toShare Your Story to share a video about a teacher who has influenced your life, and browse videos to watch other inspirational stories.

Surprise Videos From Teacher Appreciation Week  (Teach For America, 2013)
Help students organize an event to celebrate their teacher. Check out these videos from last year’s Teacher Appreciation Week for some inspiration.

Here is a sampling of other creative ways to support and celebrate teachers from Edutopia’s 2012 teacher appreciation project.

• Organize a Flash Mob
• Learn About & Support Edcamps
• Support Teachers Around the World
• Ask a Teacher Why They Teach
• Lend a Hand in the Classroom
• Sing Praises to the Principal

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Additional Resources from Edutopia

• Celebrate Educators on National Teacher Day (Edutopia, 2013)

  Blogger Matt Davis has put together a list of teacher appreciation blogs, resources and videos for National Teacher Day.

• Five-Minute Film Festival: Teacher Appreciation  (Edutopia, 2012)

  VideoAmy collected these videos to express gratitude to teachers everywhere for during Teacher Appreciation Month in May.

• A Great Reason for Appreciating High School Teachers (Edutopia, 2012)

  Blogger Bob Lenz explains that between teaching, grading, meetings, and planning, the average high school educator puts in 70 hours a week.

• Going Beyond Teacher Appreciation Day (Edutopia, 2011)

  School improvement coach Elena Aguilar explains why Teacher Appreciation Day is not enough when it comes to giving gratitude to educators.

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