The Perfect Gifts For Teacher Appreciation Week

Camille and Grant Shepard surprise one of their favorite teachers — Eilyne Davis. Eilyne teaches Homeschool/Intervention/EL at Grant School in Redding. She says, “I love solving the mystery of what makes each student learn best and helping them reach their full potential.” Photo by Nyla Schmidt Photography.

Never have our teachers been challenged more than with this last school year.  Teachers have had to work creatively and thinking outside the box to continue to provide excellent education for our children. It is time to honor those teachers, from past or present, and to say, “Thank You” during National Teachers Appreciation Week, May 3-7.

There is no shortage of reasons why teachers should be celebrated. They have dedicated their careers to enriching our children’s lives, through their patience, commitment and understanding. They have spent all year getting to know our children, it is now time to show them that we have gotten to know them too! Here are some ideas for that perfect thank-you gift:

Get personal

What is their favorite color, drink, or snack food?  Have they been talking about what they plan on doing during summer break?  Do they have a pet that they share stories about or a hobby they enjoy doing? Use this information for inspiration and “get personal” with your gift.

You can load up a cute basket with their favorite snack food or get them a gift card to their morning coffee stop.  If they plan to go to the lake for summer break, wrap up a few bottles of sun block or a cute new beach towel. You can put together an assortment of treats for their cherished pet at home or supplies that will complement their hobby.

Sheila Penman, a fifth-grade teacher at Neal Dow Elementary School in Chico, says, “My most memorable gift is about a fish named Tabasco. It started with a class discussion about getting a class pet. One student really wanted it to be a fish and surprised me by giving me a fish, a bowl, and fish food. Now, the class discussion was about naming the fish. The students knew about my love of hot sauce. That is how Tabasco became the class pet of room 12.”

Chad Fowler teaches 4th-5th grades at Turtle Bay Elementary School in Redding, and says, “Handmade gifts are awesome even if it is just a picture. I appreciate consumable items or gift cards. It is always nice to have another mug, but finding room for all the little signs and ‘knicknacks’ in the classroom can create a distraction to students if kept year to year because the room is cluttered.”

Kristin McElvain, who teaches 6th-8th grade at Turtle Bay, says, “I am continually humbled by the thoughtfulness, creativity and generosity that families have shown me over the years.  The most special gifts however, are the ones that are unexpected and truly heartfelt.  An exuberant hug or a note of appreciation and encouragement brightens even the most challenging days.”

Get creative with an art or craft project

Decorate a flowerpot and plant a flower in their favorite color.  Make a picture frame out of rulers or a crayon monogramed art piece of the teacher’s initial for the classroom wall.

Lisa McCreary, a kindergarten teach at Paradise Ridge Elementary, says, “One year I had an amazing parent helper who was an artist. She came in and had the students put their handprints on a canvas. She then worked her magic and turned the painting into a beautiful masterpiece of a mama bird and 22 babies on a telephone wire, representing me as the teacher and my students. Their handprints are the clouds in the background.”

Use the classroom for inspiration

Near the end of the school year, supplies are probably running low, so decorate a tote bag and fill it up with school supplies. If your class has been doing a lot of art projects, include a bundle of art supplies. The Creative Apple in Chico has lots of wonderful items your teachers would love to have for the classroom.

Incorporating a fun lesson into a craft project is even better. Kelly Clark, an eighth-grade teacher at Core Buttte Charter School in Chico, says, “Our math class had just finished celebrating National Pi Day. One student made me a pair of earrings that were little slices of pumpkin pie. I Love them!”

Handmade and from the heart

Writing a thoughtful note to share a special memory from the year or to tell the teacher how she has helped your child will surely be appreciated. And, working with your child to write something on the note will make it even more memorable.

“My favorite gifts are handmade cards, or letters from students,” says Lori Crockett, a K-5 teacher at Mt. Shasta’s Golden Eagle Charter School. “Last year I received a note from a student, totally unexpected (and unbeknownst to his parents), a thank you for being his teacher. I carry it around in my bag. He was a nice young man, but kind of quiet and reserved. It was a real surprise to receive it from him.”

Whether you purchase a gift or make a card, the most important thing is to take a moment to tell a dedicated teacher how much their work matters. If your child’s classes are still being held virtually, contact the school to see if you can drop off a gift for your teacher at the office.