Let’s be real, the apple-themed gifts are cute, but they’re starting to pile up (and not just on teachers’ desks!). This holiday season, let’s ditch the cliché and give our educators something they truly appreciate!
Our Top Teacher-Approved Gifts
- Gift Cards: The gift of choice! Pick local coffee shops or bookstores. It shows you care and support local businesses. Win-win!
- “Tar-jhay” (or Target, if you don’t speak French!): Whether for their classrooms or themselves, there is always the GC teachers treasure for a trusty Target run.
- Books: A teacher’s love language! Ask for their wish list or choose a book they can share with their class. Bonus points for independent bookstore gift cards!
- Cash is Queen! Sometimes the most practical gift is the best. Cash or a generic gift card allows teachers to treat themselves or stock up on much-needed classroom supplies.
Beyond the Material
Now, here’s where things get interesting. What else do teachers want? If gifts aren’t your thing, (or even if they are and you want to support educators in additional, meaningful and make-a-difference ways) give the gift of advocacy. Sounds scary? Do not fear! It’s as easy as clicking on the links below to learn how:
- “15 Advocacy Groups Championing Teachers and Learning Across the U.S.,” from PlanBook
- “Support Public Education: How Can You Help?” from EducateRadiateElevate
- “9 Ways for Schools to Honor Teacher Needs This Year,” by Daniel Leonard
While a thoughtful gift is always appreciated, let’s use this holiday season to reflect on what teachers truly need:
- Respect for their expertise.
- Advocacy for fair compensation.
- Ongoing support and resources.
Happy Holidays!
About the Author
Susanne Leslie is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Education. As a parent educator, Susanne’s specialty is Culture and Early Childhood instruction. In her current role, she writes courses and content, focusing on our Hybrid Blended Learning courses.
Fun Fact: Susanne has jumped out of two (perfectly good) airplanes!
