Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner — May 5–9, 2025 — and we’re here to help you celebrate the amazing educators in your life without stress, waste, or breaking the bank.

Simple, thoughtful gestures often mean the most, especially when they show teachers their work has made a real impact.

Here are 10 heartfelt, easy ways to thank a teacher this year:

1. Write a Handwritten Thank-You Note (to go along with - or - instead of a gift)

There’s nothing more meaningful than a heartfelt note. A simple, sincere message from a student or a parent is something many teachers treasure for years to come.

Tip: If you need a jumpstart, here is one printable thank-you template ready to use:

2. Make a Donation in Their Honor for a Teacher Appreciation Gift

Give a Teacher Appreciation gift that reflects a teacher’s heart for their students. Honor a teacher by sponsoring a student’s weekend meals through HRTS’s Backpack Buddies program. When you donate, you can access a wide variety of printable, fillable thank-you notes to choose from!

Honor a Teacher Today →HERE

3. Gift Useful (and Exciting!) Classroom Supplies

Skip the generic mugs and candles. Teachers appreciate supplies they actually use. (Higher-quality name-brand supplies make great gifts!)

Top-requested classroom supplies (from teachers we asked):

• No. 2 Ticonderoga Pencils

• Paper Mate Flair pens (fun colors!) or Sharpies

• Expo Brand dry erase markers (especially black or bold colors)

• Post-it notes

• Gift cards for Teachers Pay Teachers, or Amazon

• New read-aloud books for the classroom library

Pro Tip: Ask if your teacher has a classroom wish list!

4. Group Together with the PTA or your Child's Class for a Big Gift

If you're not part of your school's PTA, this is a great time to offer to help! Teacher Appreciation Week is a lot of work, and helping your PTA can make a significant impact by saying thank you as a group.

Coordinate with the PTA or other families in your child's class to combine funds for one thoughtful gift, like a larger gift card, a new classroom library set, or even supplies for flexible seating.

Bonus: Less pressure on individual families, a bigger impact, and if it's from the whole class, you help families who may not be able to purchase anything for Teacher Appreciation Week by including them!

5. Create a Thank-You Poster or Collage

Have students contribute short notes, drawings, or words describing their teacher, and combine them into a poster or collage. It’s personal, creative, and something a teacher can proudly display.

Here is a free thank you printable you can use to take photos with your students for the collage:

6. Celebrate Them Publicly

Public recognition can mean the world. Post a short thank-you message on social media, tag the school or the teacher (if appropriate), or send a letter to the principal celebrating your teacher’s work.

Send a photo and/or quote to us at marketing@hrtsterling.org, or tag us on social media, and we'll share it on our Facebook and Instagram pages too.

7. Give a Gift Card They’ll Actually Use

If you want to give a small physical gift, gift cards are often the most appreciated.

Popular ideas:

• Coffee shop gift card (Starbucks, Dunkin', local spots)

• Amazon or Target

• Teachers Pay Teachers

• Office supply stores (Staples, Office Depot)

Tip: Pair the gift card with a handwritten note for maximum meaning!

8. Offer a Small, Personalized Classroom Gift

If your teacher loves a theme, pick something small that fits or have the class make something together!

• Personalized classroom sign

• Laminated inspirational posters

• Fun door decorations

Don't be afraid to ask your teacher what would be useful!

9. Treat Them to a Self-Care Experience

Teaching is incredibly rewarding—but it can also be exhausting. Give your favorite teacher the chance to relax on their terms with a self-care gift card.

Great options include:

• A local nail salon or spa

• A coffee shop they love

• A favorite bookstore (think: Barnes & Noble or local shops)

• Massage or wellness gift certificates

Tip: A gift card lets the teacher pick what feels like a treat, without adding extra "stuff" they may not want or need.

Quick note: You could even frame it more creatively by calling it “Because You Deserve a Break” or “Thank You for Filling So Many Cups — Here’s One for You!”

10. Sponsor a Classroom Experience or Treat

Instead of a personal gift, sponsor something that the whole class benefits from:

• End-of-year popcorn party

• New set of math manipulatives

• Flexible seating (wobble stools, yoga balls)

Ask the teacher what would bring the most joy to their classroom—and rally other families if needed.

Want to Make This Teacher Appreciation Week Truly Special?

You can honor a teacher and support a student in need through Backpack Buddies with HRTS*.

Every donation helps us feed the growing number of children facing food insecurity in our Sterling, Virginia schools and celebrates the incredible teachers who lift them up every day.

Donate in a Teacher’s Name Today →sterlinghelp.org/honor

Thank you for helping us build a community that supports students and honors the teachers who inspire them!

*HRTS currently supports 300+ students in six Sterling area schools through the HRTS Backpack Buddies program, which provides weekend meals for food-insecure families right here in Loudoun County.