The bittersweet countdown to Summer is on for everyone – parents, students, and you guessed it, teachers! After polling a number of teachers in the Central Ohio area on what they need or want as an end of the year token of appreciation, the results were pretty simple. Most started off by saying that gifts are not necessary, but much appreciated! The biggest gift for them is to see your child leave their classroom gaining so much in those 180 days that they spent together as a team. The growth academically, physically, and emotionally is a gift in itself. However, many families would like to show a token of appreciation for that special role model in their child’s life. Hopefully, this list helps you to get creative as the year comes to an end! May it also remind you to leave the “# 1 Teacher knick knacks” and apple figurines on the shelf at the store, because most teachers already have several that are collecting dust at home! 🙂
- Gift Cards- Gift cards are a crowd pleaser for just about anyone and especially for your child’s teacher. Some favorites include Target, Starbucks, Amazon, or a gift card to the local teacher store. In Columbus, you may visit Lakeshore Learning at Polaris, United Art and Education in Hilliard, or Star Beacon in Grandview Heights. Throw a gift card tag on that says “Thanks for keeping me on Target!” or “Thanks a latte for all you do!” to make it Pinterest worthy!
- Classroom Materials- We all know that teachers shell out a lot of cash at the beginning of the school year and all throughout the year on classroom materials. Many school budgets are tight and teachers are left to make up the difference out of their own pocket. Some favorite materials include sharpies, stickers, quality pens, notecards, pencils, folders, dry erase markers and erasers. You may even ask your child’s teacher to fill out a card on what materials they would put on a wish list and surprise them by buying everything on the list.
- Candy Filled Tervis Cup- These insulated tumblers are a great item for a gift and can easily be filled with fun ideas. Customize the Tervis by choosing the teacher’s favorite sports team or holiday. Your kids will have fun picking out the perfect tumbler and filling it with good chocolate from a local candy shop. Ahem, buckeyes are always a hit!
- Beach Towel and Sunscreen- We know teachers will need some time at the pool this summer! Whether to relax or be with their own kids in the sun, teachers love a new beach towel. Use the towel as the wrapping around the sunscreen and attach a custom tag that says – “All year you worked hard to make learning fun, so now it’s your turn to relax in the sun!” Add in a magazine for added enjoyment!
- Gift Card to Barnes and Noble- We mentioned this idea before, but this one can be specific to let the teacher know it is their turn to pick a book of their choice to read for the summer. No more endless hours reading resource books. Just a book of their choice to enjoy!
- Adult Coloring Book and Colored Pencils- Teachers have joined in the new stress relieving craze of adult coloring books. With so many to choose from, this can be the perfect tool for them to unwind this summer. Attach some colored pencils and you’ve created the perfect gift!
- Personalized Bags- You’ve seen your son or daughters teacher walk into school with their arms full of bags. By the end of the year, the bags might have holes in them from carrying those graded papers back and forth from home to school. A bag with their last name on it is a thoughtful way to show you are thinking of them and is a very practical gift that would be appreciated.
- Wellness Basket for next School Year- Fill a basket full of supplies for next year’s flu season. By this point, their immune systems are pretty strong, but they can use all the help they can get. Include hand sanitizer, tissues, vitamin C drops, chapstick and perhaps some tea bags.
- Volunteer your Time- Ask teachers if they need help with any clean up of their rooms at the end of the year or perhaps organizing materials or helping with end of the year events. Time is a precious gift and always appreciated.
- A handwritten note from the student-Have your child write down their favorite memory from the year. This came up as a personal favorite for many. Getting your children involved in the giving process will make the gift the most meaningful. This could be added into any of the gifts to make it complete!
Whatever you decide to do for your child’s teacher, just remember that a thank you goes a long way. A good education can change anyone, but a good teacher can change everything. Be thankful for those special people who treat our kids as their own all year long. Your children may forget some of the things that teacher may have said as the years go on, but they will never forget the way that teacher made them feel. Take a moment to share your appreciation!
