Beyond Break Room Treats

Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is JUST around the corner, and if you’re a school leader, this is an amazing opportunity to show up and show out for your teachers!

But let’s be honest – some of the “Teacher Appreciation” celebrations are getting a liiiiittle stale. While well-intentioned, many traditional appreciation efforts barely scratch the surface of what our educators truly need and deserve.

Time to Retire These Teacher Appreciation Classics

Jeans Day

Are we still only giving teachers a few days a year to wear jeans? In 2025, this token gesture feels particularly outdated. Teachers are professionals who should be trusted to dress appropriately without making comfortable attire a “special treat.”

Food Food FOOD

Ok hear me out, I LOVE a break room treat, but that’s a great place to start! That shouldn’t be the only token of appreciation! A donut bar or pizza lunch makes for a nice moment, but the sugar high (or food coma) fades, and then what? Our educators deserve recognition that nourishes them beyond a single meal.

Self-Care PD 🛁

Self-care is SO important, but yet another lecture about self-care when most schools operate in unsustainable ways just isn’t the move! Telling teachers to practice deep breathing while maintaining overwhelming workloads sends a mixed message at best.

Meaningful Ways to Show Appreciation

So what should school leaders be doing instead? Here are some approaches that demonstrate genuine appreciation for your teaching staff:

TIME – The Most Valuable Gift

Time is the resource teachers consistently need most. Consider these time-giving strategies:

• Have administrators guest-teach at least once a week (if you’re not doing this already, you’re missing out!)
• Cancel unnecessary meetings (especially the ones that could be emails – go ahead and cancel them permanently, actually)
• Create protected planning periods where no interruptions are allowed
• Offer coverage so teachers can observe colleagues or collaborate
• Implement “no new initiatives” periods where teachers can focus on refining existing practices

RESPECT – Actions That Show You Value Their Expertise

Respect goes beyond pleasantries. I’m specifically talking about respecting the professional opinion of teachers here:

• Hold regular focus groups where teachers can speak candidly
• Create systems for teacher input on school decisions
• This is critical: actually listen and make changes based on their feedback
• Acknowledge publicly when teacher input shapes school policy
• Trust their judgment on classroom management and curricular decisions

INTENTION – Thoughtfulness Matters

Whatever you’re doing – think it through! Teachers can tell when appreciation efforts are last-minute or generic:

• If you’re bringing food, make sure you’ve accounted for allergies and preferences
• If you’re giving feedback, make sure it’s authentic and specific
• Personalize appreciation notes with detailed observations about each teacher’s impact
• Create sustainable recognition systems that operate year-round, not just during appreciation week
• Consider the timing of your initiatives so they don’t create additional stress

Teachers (and everyone really!) want to feel like things are intentional and well-thought out. They need to see the care and planning behind what you’re doing!

Finding the Balance

But of course, this doesn’t mean that we don’t also want the snacks, coffee, and trinkets – it’s a both/and here, not either/or!

Those small gestures still matter when they’re part of a larger culture of appreciation. That coffee bar feels different when it comes alongside meaningful support. That gift card hits differently when it’s accompanied by actions that make the teaching day more sustainable.

Taking Action Year-Round

Teacher Appreciation Week is a great reminder to celebrate our educators, but the most impactful school leaders build appreciation into their daily practice:

• Schedule regular check-ins that focus on teacher wellbeing, not just student data
• Create teacher advisory councils that have real decision-making power
• Advocate for your teachers to district leadership and school boards
• Shield your staff from unnecessary mandates and paperwork
• Publicly celebrate teacher successes to parents and the community
• Ensure your teachers have the supplies and resources they need without dipping into their own pockets

Remember, the best appreciation isn’t about grand gestures during a designated week – it’s about creating school environments where teachers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day.

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Together, we can move beyond break room treats to create schools where teacher appreciation is woven into the fabric of daily operations.