How to Organize a Teacher Appreciation Event

Next to parents, a teacher can be one of the most important people in a child's life. They spend anywhere from six to nine hours a day with our children, so it's important to show them how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication. One way to do this is to hold a teacher appreciation event. It can be anywhere from a day to an entire week long, and it will let your school's teachers know that you value them and what they do.

Instructions

1. Figure out what sort of budget you have to work with. Will your school's PTO or PTA contribute to funding the event, or do you need to ask parents for donations? Consider as well how many staff members you have. Will the event be just for teachers, or for all the employees of your building, such as librarians, speech therapists, and the principal? Be sure you have approval from administrators before doing anything in the school building itself.

2. Make sure you've got parents on board to help. An average school has anywhere from twenty to a eighty teachers, which means you'll need parent volunteers to work at the event. Delegate jobs to everyone, so that no one feels overwhelmed, but everyone gets to contribute something.

3. Once you've got the logistics worked out, it's time to start planning. One thing teachers love is food, and they love it even more if they don't have to make it. Consider hosting a potluck luncheon for your teachers. A Mexican fiesta is an easy theme to use, and nearly everyone loves it. Set up a taco salad bar by having a crock pot full of browned meat and a big bowl of nachos, as well as a selection of chopped fresh vegetables, beans, and salsa. Another great option is a deli sandwich bar. Get some big rolls and a variety of lunch meats and cheese, as well as some condiments, so each teacher can fix their own sub. Provide chips and coleslaw as side dishes.

4. Make sure that everyone knows you're celebrating your teachers. Hang signs up in the hallways and the teacher's lounge, saying things like "Our Teachers Are A-Plus" or "If You Can Read This Sign, Thank a Teacher." If building administrators will allow it, put a note on the school's outdoor sign so that everyone knows you think your teachers are great.

5. Consider giving gifts if you can afford it. It can be something simple, like a piece of candy with a note in each teacher's mailbox, or something fancier, such as goodie baskets or gift cards to local restaurants or shops. Depending on your budget, you can do something big, or keep it small. No matter what you do, though, by the time you're done, your school's teachers will know how much you value their contributions!

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to thank whoever cleans up after your event; if it's the school custodial staff, leave them a note of appreciation to tell them how much you value their help.