By Tony Williams, ParentSquare Customer Advocacy Manager
As a former middle school teacher, I know the incredible effort educators put in day after day. I’ve also participated in a lot of Teacher Appreciation Weeks in my time. Looking back, the best ones were filled with fond memories of smiling students and specific positive feedback. The worst involved gestures that felt disingenuous, rushed, and impersonal.
Teacher Appreciation Week is a chance to truly celebrate the professionals that our schools simply can’t do without. This year, try shaking it up with an approach that all the teachers I know would be thrilled to see: public acknowledgments that highlight their invaluable role in the school and community.
Why thank teachers publicly?
As a school leader, your actions set the tone for the entire community. Public displays of appreciation don’t just boost teacher morale; they also signal to students, families, and staff that you value education and the people who make it possible. And when your community sees you celebrating teachers, they feel invited to join in.
Appreciating your teachers in public reinforces the importance of learning, fosters a deeper sense of belonging, and reflects your commitment to a positive school culture that honors its educators.
Looking for ideas to get you started? Follow along for seven Teacher Appreciation Week ideas (and a bonus or two) that any school can pull off.
1. Keep teachers fueled and focused with a coffee cart
You know those wheeled technology carts you’ve got in storage? Turn a few of yours into a fleet of rolling coffee stands. Load them up with coffee, hot chocolate, ice water—whatever your staff loves. For an extra touch, team up with the cafeteria crew for a special sweet treat or signature dessert that you know the staff likes. There are so many fun variations, additions, and twists you can put on this, so don’t be afraid to go over the top!
Here’s the key: stop by during class time. Roll into the room, offer a quick apology for the interruption, and insist on serving the teacher yourself. It’s important for students to see admin celebrating their teachers and, when done right, will encourage
2. Crowdsource a gratitude video and broadcast it to your school community
The great thing about videos is that they’re shareable, replayable, and easy to distribute across your entire school community. There are so many ways to show teacher appreciation through video. Consider asking your admin, staff, or even students, “What makes teachers at our school so special?” Record their responses, edit the clips together, and close with a heartfelt thank-you.
Surprise teachers by unveiling the video during an assembly, make it part of your morning announcements, or coordinate a time for all classrooms to watch it with their students.
But you don’t have to stop there. Amplify the celebration by sharing your video across communications channels like ParentSquare, social media, your website, and maybe even with your local news.
3. Lead by example: Visit each classroom to thank teachers publicly
Cards and hand-written letters are nice, but they’re often private. Since this year is all about making appreciation visible, consider something simple but deeply impactful: a personal thank-you delivered during class, in front of the students.
Before you begin, reflect on three specific reasons you’re grateful for each teacher. Write them down. Then, politely enter the classroom, apologize for any disruption, and explain to students that it’s Teacher Appreciation Week and you have something important to share.
Then, say it out loud. In fact, lay it on thick for everyone to see—the more enthusiastic the better, as long as you keep your praise genuine. On your way out, encourage students to acknowledge teachers, staff, and their peers whenever possible. That’s how you build a culture of gratitude that lasts long after Teacher Appreciation Week.
4. Cheer teachers on with a surprise appreciation walk
You know how before the big awards shows people line up to watch the celebrities walk inside? They cheer, take selfies, hold up signs, and try to catch a glimpse of their favorites. Let’s give our teachers that same star treatment.
Gather a large crowd of students, families, and staff, and surprise your teachers with an appreciation walk or parade. You can line the hallways, school driveway, track, or another designated route with your students and families. You can even assemble your teachers on the front lawn or at the drop-off loop so everyone can wave and honk.
Encourage participants to bring signs, and consider rolling out a literal red carpet and step and repeat for pictures. For this one, I’d recommend going big—with music, a PA system, and maybe some dancing.
Planning a teacher surprise using ParentSquare? Don’t forget to deselect the “staff” option before sending your post. This keeps teachers out of the loop so the surprise stays a secret!
5. Set up student-led appreciation stations
Most teachers I know have a special box, folder, or envelope full of items that represent fond teaching memories. I still have mine, and it’s filled with pictures, trinkets, and hand-written notes—all from my students.
This year, encourage your students to get in on the action by setting up Teacher Appreciation Stations. Students can write notes, draw pictures, tell stories, make crafts, and so much more. If you want to go bigger, consider working with your STEM, tech, and art teachers for larger appreciation projects that might involve more time.
6. Host a teacher look-alike day to celebrate your educators in style
Imitation is the highest form of flattery. I love this one because it involves students, it’s lighthearted, and it provides plenty of photo ops.
Encourage students to be creative, thoughtful, and respectful with their look-alike choices. At the end of the day, be sure to gather all your “teachers” together for a group photo—this is a must-have for the yearbook!
7. Cover your campus in kindness with sticky note shoutouts
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most meaningful. Set up supervised “Post-it stations” in your hallways with sticky notes, pens, markers, and sentence starters like:
- “I appreciate you because…”
- “I remember when you helped me…”
- “Thank you for…”
Give students time during the day to write messages and post them on classroom doors or in designated hallways. Younger students can draw pictures of their teacher and write their name.
To make this even more special, encourage staff to get involved and add notes too. Once school is out and the hallways have cleared, invite your teachers to walk the halls and soak in the appreciation. These small messages leave a lasting impression and remind every teacher that they matter.
Bonus tips for extra credit
Give teachers the gift of time with early dismissal Friday
While putting this blog together, I asked friends, former colleagues, and my wife (an elementary special education teacher) what they really want for Teacher Appreciation Week. Unsurprisingly, one answer came up again and again: early dismissal.
There’s something pretty incredible about an unexpected early dismissal—it’s a simple gesture that speaks volumes. If you can, pull some strings and make it happen. Send them home early. Let them beat traffic, run an errand, or get time back with their own family. It might be the highlight of their week (or month!).
Create a carnival atmosphere with food trucks for lunch
There’s just something about food trucks that instantly brings a fun, festive atmosphere to any event. Make Teacher Appreciation Week extra special for your teachers by inviting a few local vendors to serve lunch on campus. Set up communal seating and encourage your teachers to relax and enjoy a meal together.
Don’t stop the celebration
The truth is, you don’t need a special week to celebrate teachers. Choose a random day at any time during the school year and do something unexpected to show your gratitude. Maybe it’s one of the ideas on this list that you didn’t fit into this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, or maybe it’s something completely new.
Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive to be meaningful. Sometimes, the most impactful moments come when they’re least expected. Let your teachers know you’re thinking of them, just because.
The bottom line: Teachers want to feel genuinely seen, not just celebrated
As you plan Teacher Appreciation Week this year, consider celebrating educators in a way that brings the entire school community together. Too often, appreciation is confined to a card that’s quickly tucked away or a mug destined for the back of the cupboard.
This year, let your gratitude echo through your halls and your community for months to come. When students, families, and staff all take part in showing appreciation, it sends a powerful message: your teachers are truly valued, appreciated, and respected—just as they deserve.
Trust me, teachers remember how you made them feel. I know I still do. Cheers to a great Teacher Appreciation Week!
