I’ve collected 25+ teacher appreciation ideas for 2022 for you! Teaching has looked quite a bit different since last year and teachers have come up against unexpected challenges. It’s been an adventure for everyone, and supporting children on the autism spectrum and children with other special needs is always a challenging and rewarding job. Let’s celebrate our teachers (and therapists, home aides, etc.!) with these teacher appreciation ideas for 2021.
When is virtual teacher appreciation week?
In 2022, virtual teacher appreciation week will take place from May 2nd – May 6th, 2022.
Virtual Teacher Appreciation Ideas
To make the most of teacher appreciation week and to thank your child’s teachers virtually here are some fun ideas!
Create a thank you video
If your little one is speaking, record a video where he or she is saying “thank you”!
If your child isn’t speaking yet, that’s ok too. Record him or her playing with a favourite toy or game or if the teacher or therapist has been working on fine motor skills, record a short video showing your child holding a marker and drawing.
I can assure you your child’s teacher will love and be so proud of your little one’s progress.
Create a sideshow
If you’ve taken some photos throughout homeschooling and virtual sessions this past year, create a little slideshow for your child’s teacher.
Even if you haven’t been taking photos throughout the year, take some cute photos of your little one, his or her art projects and printables from this year and combine it all into a simple slideshow. What a beautiful, meaningful gift that doesn’t cost anything!
Draw a picture
Have your little one draw a special picture to gift his or her teacher. This will be especially well received if drawing and writing has been an IEP goal this year and is something your child may’ve struggled with but has progressed in.
Write a letter
If your child can write, maybe give a few writing prompts and present a special handwritten letter to your child’s teacher.
Create a teacher appreciation sign
Have you heard of teacher appreciation signs? Basically your child holds up a sign with a special message, like “thank you!”, or “you’re amazing!” or some other uplifting message of gratitude.
This would work perfectly for a virtual teacher celebration.
Teacher Appreciation Sign Ideas
- “Thank you!”
- “You’re AMAZING!”
- “I’m grateful for you!”
- “Thanks for everything you taught me this year!”
- “You’re an AMAZING teacher and I love you!”
- “Thank you for being YOU!”
Teacher Appreciation Week Themes
Why not celebrate every day all week long? Make it even more fun by choosing a different celebration them each day!
- Spa theme – give your child’s teacher a small spa themed gift each day such as a scented candle, a face mask or a lip balm.
- Candy theme – gift a different candy each day of the week!
- World surprises theme – choose a special little gift from a different country each day of the week.
Virtual Teacher Appreciation Gifts
What do teachers really want?
I can’t speak for all teachers, but I’m guessing your child’s teacher just wants to feel appreciated more than anything else. Any gift that says “I see you and I appreciate you!” will a welcome gift.
As an autism center owner, I have received so many lovely gifts over the years from drawings, to photo books, to videos, to foods from the families’ countries of origin, to cashmere scarves. I just appreciate that the family took the time to think about me and choose a special gift as a token of appreciation. That means the world to me!
How much should you spend on a teacher gift?
Choosing a thoughtful and personalized gift is more important than the cost of the gift, in my opinion, however, you may also want to consider how much time your child is spending with the teacher, therapist, classroom aide or home tutor.
If you are purchasing a gift for your child’s classroom aide who spends the entire day helping him or her thrive at school, you may want to spend a little more on really showing how much you value his or her support.
In general, parents typically spend $25-$50 per gift. If this seems like a high budget to you, don’t worry. Create a really thoughtful homemade gift instead. I’m sure your child’s teacher will cherish it!
Gift ideas
A gift card
A gift card to a favorite place is such a treat! If you know your child’s teacher loves Starbucks get a card for there. Some other ideas? Give a gift card to a bath and body store for spa products, give a gift card for a nice restaurant, a spa day, a hair appointment, a manicure and pedicure or a massage. I’m sure your child’s teacher will love it!
An online course
If know your child’s teacher has been dreaming of traveling to Italy and has been wanting to learn Italian, why not gift them a virtual Italian class.
Udemy has courses on every subject and they are really reasonably priced and run regular sales! You can gift a course that can be accessed at any time in the future – no need to sign up for specific dates.
You may also want to consider purchasing one of my autism courses to help them in their work.
The Autism Activities Bundle
Why not my hugely popular Autism Activities Bundle for the teacher in your child’s life? Teachers, therapists and school aides are often short on time. They want to offer their little students the best activities possible, but creating activities takes a huge amount of time.
You can purchase the activities bundle and give them immediate access to 50+ printable autism activities that they can use in their classroom, therapy practice or online over and over again!
A book
Bookshop.org has a wonderful selection of books from independent bookstores and publishers. Take a peek at the selection if you know a bit about your teacher’s interests or select one of the cute teacher appreciation books below to show your teacher appreciation.
A journal
I think a journal is such a thoughtful gift. Your child’s teacher can use it to write down ideas and inspirations throughout the day, to record experiences during a special trip
A bottle of wine
Your child’s teacher may be in need of wine (LOL). Just kidding. Wine can be a nice gift that your little one’s teacher can share with a husband or wife or if the teacher doesn’t drink alcohol, it’s also a gift that can be passed on. Make it even more personal with a funny personalized wine label.
A “spa at home” box
I love this idea! Gather some lovely spa products for your child’s teacher to enjoy a spa day or evening at home. Some ideas? You could buy a beautiful basket and fill it with bubble bath, soap, a face mask, a body scrub, some tea or coffee, nail polish or anything else you think would be a hit!
Books that celebrate teachers
A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood
Teachers Rule! Mad Libs by Laura Marchesani
More Autism Posts
- Earth Day Activities for Kids
- Free Autism Resources
- Autism Chew Toys
- Virtual Field Trips
- Sensory Boxes for Autism
- Light Table Activities
- Fidgets for Autistic Students
- Printable Social Stories
- Autism Courses for Teachers
More Autism Resources
- The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
- Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
- Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
- How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
- Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!
Virtual Teacher Appreciation Ideas
I hope you love this teacher appreciation week ideas! How will you be celebrating the teachers, therapists and school aides in your child’s life this year? Let me know in the comments below!
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