A Parent’s Guide to the Best Back-to-School Gifts for Teachers
Beginning the school year with a positive outlook is essential for teachers, students, and parents. By the time the first day of school rolls around, your child’s teachers have already put a lot of time into preparations for the new school year. A gift on the first day of school shows the teacher that you already appreciate them and their journey ahead with your child. This back-to-school teacher gift doesn’t need to be expensive, big, or extravagant; Something small, practical, or handmade to let teachers know that your child is excited to start the year together.
Here are a few gift ideas we know teachers will find helpful and love.
Note: TeachersParadise may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through Amazon Affiliate links. We only suggest items our team loves!
Teacher Survival Kit
Compiling a box or a nifty cosmetic bag with everyday essentials that the teacher might not have on hand at a moment’s notice is a great way to tell a teacher that you are there to support them. Calling this goodie bag a “Teacher Survival Kit” will provide a fun take on daily things that a teacher may need. Such as Advil, throat lozenges, relaxation lotion, hand sanitizer, stain remover pen, and tissues are just a few examples to fill your cosmetic bag. A teacher will remember you the day they go looking for one of these items and remember that you gave them a gift with just what they need.
Gift cards
Gift cards can be helpful to teachers in a multitude of ways. Teachers often compile a list of classroom resources and extras they need to enhance their students learning experience, a wish list of sorts. If the teacher has not shared a physical wish list with the parents, then a gift card to Amazon or teacher supply store such as TeachersParadise.com are always a great option to help them expand their classroom library and help them to add extra supplies to their classroom. Contributing to your child’s classroom will surely enhance learning for years to come.
Restaurant gift cards are great for helping teachers through the hustle and bustle of the beginning of the school year and are always a welcomed sight. We can feed our teachers the same way they feed our children’s minds daily. Teachers will enjoy a night out without worrying about rushing home from school to prepare a meal. Gift cards provide an array of possibilities. Teachers appreciate that we appreciate them. Whether it’s a gift card for a new book at the bookstore, a night out at a movie theater, an afternoon pick me up from your favorite coffee shop, an energizing treat from a juice bar, or a sweet treat from a bakery. Teachers appreciate that we respect them.
Phone Charger and Portable Power Bank
So many times, you realize you didn’t charge your phone at night, or you left your charger at home. It seems like a phone charger is something everyone has readily on hand, but having the luxury of a dedicated charger or charging station in the classroom is a meaningful way to keep teachers’ devices up and running. Who couldn’t use an extra charger to ensure they can stay connected with their families and parents throughout the day? A charging station is also a great tool to keep classroom devices charged and ready for student activities. Consider a charger with an additional USB port to charge multiple accessories or devices. When a teacher needs to charge on the go, a Portable power bank will be a helpful asset to teachers. Provide teachers with a quick charge of earbuds, headphones, tablets, and phones in the cafeteria, and playground, no matter where they are.
Water Bottle for School
Keep teachers hydrated and healthy with fun water bottles. Drinking water has been linked to protecting organs, regulating body temperature, and keeping you healthy. So why not help keep teachers healthy while they keep teaching? Bottles to track water consumption, leakproof, insulated to keep water cold for 24 hours, or bottles that hold a half gallon. Whichever size, type, or color you choose can help to support teachers hydrated on the go.
Classroom Mug Warmer
Sometimes afternoon caffeine pick-me-ups or morning beverages are precisely what a teacher needs to keep going strong until the dismissal bell rings. Helping teachers keep fueled and their beverages warm to conquer the morning, afternoon, or evening paper grading. Supplying a teacher with the ability to have warm tea and drinks at their fingertips is a luxury. Providing a way to soothe their voices after lectures, at the end of a long day, or on a cold winter morning will always be enjoyed. Mug warms are a super practical idea for any teacher’s classroom.
Snack Basket
Stocking teachers with plenty of treats to keep them energized and fueled throughout their busy day could never be wrong. Individually wrapped snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, gummies, cookies, chips, crackers, and power bars are ideal so that snacks maintain freshness for an extended period. Sending a collection of snacks to the teacher on the first day of school and throughout the year will be a treat at the teacher’s desk. Satisfy the cravings of a teacher’s hard work molding students’ minds for an afternoon pick-me-up, late afterschool lesson planning, paper grading, or afterschool tutoring sessions.
Cups, Mug, and Tumblers
A cup with an adorable or encouraging message is an innovative gift that can use all year round. Keep a smile on a teacher’s face with a cute tumbler or mug filled with their beverage of choice. Tumblers are the perfect gift for any teacher needing hydration throughout their day. Start a teacher’s day off with a reminder on their cup of how much students and their parents value them.
Teachers are an essential gift to our children. Letting them know that we value the job they do day in and day out only seems fitting to let them know that their students’ parents are here to help support them in their influential role in educating our children. Even with the smallest of sentiments, teachers appreciate anything we can do to help them, so let’s thank them and make them feel welcome and appreciated.
