Teaching is a profession that deserves respect beyond measure. Teachers spend their days being role models and shaping the futures of children and young adults. Starting in preschool, our children spend the majority of their day with their teachers. Teachers can have a huge impact on our child’s self-image and attitudes about school.

Each of us has a teacher that we remember– someone who shaped us through a tough time or inspired us to reach our full potential.

One of my favorite teachers was my American Sign Language teacher in high school. I took classes from her during my junior and senior years. While she didn’t have any hearing problems herself, her sister was born deaf. It was inspiring to me to see how she advocated for the deaf through teaching high school students.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and today, May 6, is National Teacher Appreciation Day. Are you scrambling for a gift for your child’s teacher?

Top 3 Last-Minute Gift Ideas

Here are the top 3 gifts that teachers will appreciate, according to my friends who are teachers.

#3: Gift Cards

We all know teachers aren’t the most highly paid, though they should be. Gift cards are always great when you don’t know what to buy. You can pick up gift cards for local restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, office supply stores, Amazon, and iTunes. If your child’s teacher is also a military spouse, give her a gift card to her military commissary.

#2: Baked Goods/School Supplies

Another popular gift was food items or school supplies. Many teachers buy classroom supplies out of their own pockets, so pencils, crayons, notebooks, and paper will help ease their burden. A homemade baked treat is always popular for teachers, but if you don’t have time to bake, package a few spices together with a cute kitchen towel for an easy gift.

#1: Handwritten Thank You Note

There’s nothing more special than an old-fashioned thank-you note. Each teacher I polled said a handwritten note was the best gift they’ve ever gotten. One friend has kept all the notes and pulls them out whenever she’s having one of those days when she’s not sure if she is making a difference. Never underestimate a sincere thank-you note. If your children are too young to write their own notes, write one expressing your gratitude to their teachers for them.

Need more ideas? Browse these great ideas on our Pinterest board:

 

What’s your last-minute go-to gift for teachers?

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