Read time: 6 mins.
Did you know that in the UK, teachers work on average 50 hours per week* including roughly 13 hours on weekends, evenings and holidays*?
With all the effort and hours they put into assisting our development, the end of the school year is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation.
The warmer and longer days are finally here and the summer holidays are just about to start meaning another school year has come to an end.
In amongst all the excitement of summer trips to come and the planning of seemingly endless sleepovers and adventurous days spent with friends, it’s important to remember those that helped you or your child to grow and learn over the past academic year.
Our teachers and professors go above and beyond to help us all year long so why not thank them with an end of term gift? Photo by Arthur Krijgsman.
Wondering how to thank your professor or teacher? Here are our top tips.
1. Write them a thoughtful message in a thank you teacher card or email
This could be a giant card from the whole class, a small gift card from a local shop, a handmade card or a quick email.
Inside the card or email, you can write a note to thank them for how they have personally helped you over the year or a short and sweet thank you showing that you appreciate their efforts.
Wondering what you can thank your teacher for? Here are some ideas:
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“Thank you teacher for guiding us through exams”
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“Thank you teacher for all your efforts and your dedication to helping me succeed”
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“Thank you teacher for helping me grow”
A thank you teacher note is a lovely way to write something personal that your teacher can remember for years to come. Photo by Neven Krcmarek on Unsplash.
2. Give them a thank you teacher end of school year gift
A thank you teacher end of year gift is a perfect way to show your appreciation.
It will let your teacher know that they’ve done a good job and motivate them to keep up the good work for successive years.
Thank you teacher gifts also create a positive association between teacher and student – this, in turn, will put you or your child in good academic stead with that teacher for the following year.
And even if you will have a different teacher next year or move to another school, the thank you gift given to your teacher will make them look forward to helping more students next term.
This may also be the case for your future teachers after they have been thanked by their current students. By giving a gift to your teacher, you’re contributing to a circle of goodwill amongst teachers and students.
Saying thanks to a teacher will let them know they’ve done a good job and keep them energised for next term. Photo by RODNAE Productions.
What gifts can teachers accept?
Teacher gift etiquette can vary by school, so it’s important to check your school’s guidelines. These may be on their website, or simply give your school a call to check.
Small gifts are generally okay, though your school may have a price limit. Teachers may be required to politely decline gifts over this limit.
It is also unlikely that teachers at your school will be able to accept a monetary gift. If you’re not sure what to get them, a gift card or voucher is a great option, but make sure to check with your school before purchasing any gift.
What are good gifts for a teacher?
You’ve narrowed it down to a few potential options but how do you know what gifts teachers really want?
Favourites are teacher gifts that either give them an opportunity to relax and unwind from the year’s stresses or practical gifts that will come in handy during the next academic year.
Our top thank you teacher gift ideas are:
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A chocolate or biscuit treat box. They can share these in the staff room or enjoy them all to themselves
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A teacher gift plant. A plant will give a lasting memory of that academic year and can brighten up the classroom or their home space for years to come
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White or red wine gifts. Wine is a consistently popular gift with teachers and enjoying a glass can help to wind down at the end of term
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A gift basket or hamper. An assortment of treats is a great gift for a teacher to tuck into at the end of term. Buy one ready-made or go the extra mile and make a gift box with some of their favourite snacks
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A teacher gift notebook. Something practical that they are sure to make use of when planning lessons for next term
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Make a DIY teacher gift. Have your child draw a picture of their teacher as a superhero or make a class yearbook with kind words from all the students or parents
There are plenty more options out there than the classic ‘thank you teacher’ mug, but whichever item you choose to give is sure to be appreciated.