I received a note written by one of my students with a picture he drew. I teach ESOL and this student came to school in Sept. speaking no English at all. He wrote a wonderful note thanking me for "giving me words." I still have the note and picture on my bulletin board.


P.S. I also love gift cards

Best gift I have ever received was a very kind note from a parent and a second kind note from the student that was scanned and emailed to my principal and the special ed supervisor. Parents often copy these people on emails when there is a problem or a concern but rarely when things are going very well for their child.

Definitely personal notes from students and/ or their parents. Sometimes it's the only time you truly feel appreciated, especially when it comes from those hard to reach kids that you've been working so hard to reach.

I love those personal notes of thank you from parents. At our school the entire class usually gets a present together. It's usually pictures of the children, photo albums etc. I feel horrible to say this but I have to discard these. I know all the other teachers do so as we'll. I have kids of my own and not enough space and as much as I would love to keep these its so much clutter that I have to let it go. It's such a wonderful thought and I do feel bad but really the parents and children are always so awesome that this is gift enough.

Our school had a $25 limit on gifts so one year every student got me a $25 Amazon gift card. I was pregnant and needed baby essentials so it was awesome to have several hundred dollars to spend.

A mom here. Teachers, thank you for everything you do. You're awesome!

their kid passing and leaving my classroom.

I love the note idea- my two favorite teacher appreciation gifts were;
First was a picture of each child with a personalized note (this is when I taught Kindergarten so they wrote the notes themselves.) Those smiling faces with a hand written note stating why the appreciated me still decorates my fridge years later!!
The other was from my younger class, class moms brought in a vase and each child brought in a single flower or sprig that they chose and made the most beautiful class bouquet!

Definitely a personalized note. Those notes mean more to me than anything else.

You can't go wrong with a gift card to places like Target or Amazon. I love buying new books for my class, science project materials, or other school supplies.

Notes, for sure!

I've saved all of the personalized notes I have received...they really mean more to me than any gift! Save the mugs, chocolate, trinkets, etc. If you do decide to add something tangible, a gift card to a place like Amazon or perhaps a Target card where anyone, of any taste, can find something.

Wow, interesting. I didn't know personal notes meant so much. Now I have something nice to do for DS's teachers.

Definitely the personalized notes. Lifts my spirits on tough days.

Three page thank you / recommendation letter from parents.

A short thank you note or drawing from a young child is priceless. And I can keep them forever.
Thank you.

What was the best gift you ever received from a student/class? Trying to brainstorm for teacher appreciation week!