US Teacher Appreciation Week 2023, Card Messages, Gifts, and More
by Kowsalya
Updated May 09, 2023
US Teacher Appreciation Week 2023
As the school year draws to a close, retailers, and restaurants across the United States are offering special deals to honor teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. This week was initiated by former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who urged Congress in 1953 to create a day recognizing teachers, according to School Specialty.
National Teacher Day was first celebrated on March 7 but was moved to May in 1984, and the National Parent Teacher Association began observing the entire first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.
According to the organization, "Teachers play a critical role in driving the success of our children's education and lives. They are the ones who inspire and guide our kids to become future leaders, innovators, and problem solvers."
The National Parent Teacher Association has suggestions for thanking a teacher on its website. Some states and school districts began celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this week, while the National Education Association and National Parent Teacher Association observe it from May 8 to May 12.
During the week, National Teachers Day is usually observed on May 2, although the National Day Calendar and Calenderpedia place the observation day on May 9, the first Tuesday of the first full week in May.
What are Good Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week?
Teachers play a significant role in shaping the minds, hearts, and characters of our children, inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves every day. They provide care and support to each student under their guidance.
It is essential to express genuine gratitude by thanking teachers for all that they do. Personalized teacher gifts are a great way to show your appreciation and express your gratitude to the incredible educators who have made a positive impact on your life.
1. Custom Mugs
2. Christmas Ornaments
3. Custom Tote Bags
4. Teacher Appreciation Cards
5. Magnets
6. Quote Wall Art
7. Notebooks & Notepads
8. Travel Drinkware
9. Custom Keychains
10. Post-It Notes
11. Personalized Candles
12. Photo Books
13. Pen & Pencil Holders
14. Custom Jewelry
15. Festive Custom Socks
16. Monthly Planners
17. Personalized Pencils
18. Desk Caddies
19. Paperweights
20. Shutterfly Gift Cards
Teacher Appreciation Week Card Messages
Teachers have a huge impact on the lives of children, shaping their minds, hearts, and characters, and inspiring them to be their best selves. It's important to show appreciation and say thank you to the incredible educators in your life with personalized gifts that express gratitude.
Don't wait until the holidays or the end of the school year to boost your spirits. A beautiful, hand-written card expressing your appreciation anytime will be greatly appreciated. Here are some thoughtful messages that you can use:
- "Thank you for all the hard work you've put into teaching our child this year. We appreciate your open communication and positive learning environment. You are a fantastic teacher."
- "Thank you for being the best teacher ever. We owe you so much for not only teaching our children but for also putting up with them. You rock!"
- "Thank you for making my first year of school so special. You deserve the best teacher award."
- "Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher to our child this year. We appreciate your kindness and patience. Have a wonderful summer - you deserve it!"
- "We are beyond grateful that our child was lucky enough to have you as their teacher. Thank you for continuing to put the students first while navigating this new way of teaching."
- "You are the best teacher I've ever had. You made 5th grade so much fun! I loved all the fun activities we did and especially your dad jokes."
- "Your hard work and dedication as a teacher are noticed and appreciated. Thank you for everything."
- "Thank you for all you did to support our child this year. Your dedication, love, and long hours invested in your students have not gone unnoticed. We appreciate you more than words can express. With love, thank you for being a fantastic teacher."
- "You are everything that a teacher should be. Your empathy and joy are inspiring, and you see people for who they are and who they can become. Thank you for all that you have done for me. I will be forever grateful."
- "February can be a tough month, so I wanted to pop in with a little note letting you know that all your hard work makes an impact. You are a wonderful teacher. Happy President's Day! Enjoy your day off."
- "One good teacher outweighs a ton of books. Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to the best teacher there is!"
- "What did the turtle students call their turtle teachers? Tortoise because they 'taught us'! Get it? Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to the best turtle teacher there ever was! We love you!"
- "Thank you so much for a great 5th-grade year so far. I love having you as a teacher, and I love learning all the cool and interesting things you teach us. Thank you for being you!"
- "I'm so lucky to have you as my teacher! You always make me feel special and loved. Thank you for helping me learn and grow! You are the BEST teacher in the world! Happy New Year!"
- "Thank you for teaching us good things every day! We truly appreciate your guidance, patience, and love. Happy Teacher's Day! Lots of love."
Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas from Principals and Administrators
Step 1: A Super Delivery
Dr. Anna Brooks, principal of Morehead Elementary School in North Carolina, delivered “hero bags” to each teacher’s house during Teacher Appreciation Week last year.
The bags included gifts with a superhero theme, such as a T-shirt with “MES” (for Morehead Elementary School) inside a Superman emblem, a Kind bar with a label that said “Thanks for a Super Year!”, and cupcakes from a local bakery. She personally delivered the gifts, covering 178 miles over 8.5 hours, to ensure that teachers felt valued and appreciated.
Step 2: A Well-Deserved Break
Administrators from Elmira City School District in New York found ways to give their hard-working teachers some much-needed "me time" during Teacher Appreciation Week.
They gave out gift certificates to a local spa, and some even brought the masseuse directly to teachers for half-hour massages. For those on a budget, administrators gave out "extra prep" and "get out of school early" coupons, then covered the classes themselves.
Step 3: A Video Shout-Out
Principal Dr. Neil Lesinski of Cary-Grove High School in Illinois takes videos of students thanking their teachers in short messages as he walks the halls. If your students are learning remotely, ask them to create their own short video messages and send them to you to post on the school's social media channels.
Involve students in the planning and get ideas from Student Council, National Honors Society, and the Interact Club. The result could be lawn signs celebrating teachers, gifts from students, breakfast and lunch prepared by the administrative team, and of course, video thank-yous.
Step 4: A Gift of Hope
Manuela Haberer, principal of Boone Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, plans to celebrate teachers with a "You Bring Hope to Our World " theme.
Administrators chose the rainbow to represent hope and will gift teachers binder clips in assorted colors with smiley faces on them with a tag that says, "Thanks for keeping us together!" Teachers will also receive rainbow-colored drink holders for their cans of sparkling water.
On the menu at Boone Elementary: breakfast tacos on the first day of the week, Chick-fil-A on the second day, and a boxed lunch from the local Jason's Deli on the fourth day.
Step 5: A Chalk Tribute
Cotter Schools in Winona, Minnesota, enlisted students to create chalk messages outside of their houses to show appreciation for teachers. Students created colorful shoutouts and drew flowers, balloons, hearts, smiley faces, and a unicorn.
The images were compiled into a slideshow and posted on the school's website, and some of the chalk tributes were shared on the school's social media channels. The message was clear: "We appreciate our teachers and all they do for our students."
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual event in the United States that is typically celebrated during the first full week of May. It is a week-long celebration dedicated to expressing gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of teachers.
During this week, students, parents, and school administrators often participate in various activities and events to honor and thank teachers for their commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation.
The goal of Teacher Appreciation Week is to raise awareness about the important role teachers play in society and to encourage everyone to show their appreciation for the significant contributions that teachers make to our communities.
US Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 - FAQs
Teacher Appreciation Week originated in 1984 when the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) designated the first full week of May as a time to honor teachers for their efforts and contributions to education.
There are many ways to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, including sending a thank-you note to a teacher, bringing in treats or snacks for the teachers, organizing a school-wide event or activity, or donating school supplies or other resources.
There are several national events and initiatives that take place during Teacher Appreciation Week, such as the National Teacher Day on Tuesday of the week and the #ThankATeacher campaign, which encourages people to share their appreciation for teachers on social media.
Yes, many other countries around the world have similar observances to honor and appreciate their teachers. For example, World Teachers' Day is celebrated annually on October 5th by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize the important role that teachers play in providing quality education.