IXL is all about making sure teachers have the support they need, which means we’re big fans of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10)! Last year we gave school leaders some fun ideas to show how much they value their staff, and this year we’re following that up with even more inspiration. Here are a few ways you can make teachers feel special for their hard work.

Organize fun feasts

Providing food for school staff is a great place to start when you’re coming up with Teacher Appreciation Week treats. Everyone enjoys free food, and you have a lot of flexibility in what you can provide, from simple snacks to full catered meals.

Breakfast can be an especially big hit. Teachers will love having their morning meal taken care of, and the nourishment will help staff power through the day until lunch. Bonus points if you can make it feel like an unique event! Set up a donut or bagel wall in the teachers’ lounge, or hire a coffee truck to give staff an early perk before classes start.

Help out in the classroom

One of the best gifts you can give teachers is making their jobs easier with some extra help during the school day. Head into a classroom and act as the teacher’s assistant for a few periods, or even lead an activity while giving the teacher a well-deserved break.

Not only does this take some stress off teachers, it also shows that you’re willing to be hands-on when you support them. Plus, it’ll give you a first-hand perspective into what their classes are like and how it feels to fill their role. In the end, you’ll be more informed on the challenges they face and able to work better as a team.

To spread the love to more teachers, you can also try to get district-level staff involved. They’ll likely be eager to help out! Also, chances are some district staff haven’t supervised a classroom in several years (or at all) and a little classroom experience would give them a window into how teaching may have changed.

Deliver a personalized thank you

Handwritten thank you cards are wonderful to receive from students, but they can also be a welcome gift from school leaders. After all, you’re with your teachers day in and day out, so you’re in the right position to see both the struggles they face and the strengths they use to overcome them. A heartfelt message of gratitude and something you admire about a teacher is an acknowledgement that their work has meaning.

For large schools, see if you can get your team to help out and divide some of the teachers among them. Even if some teachers don’t get a note from you personally, receiving a nice thank you from a coworker is sure to boost their spirits.

While you’re delivering some tailor-made appreciation, don’t forget to lay on the general praise as well! Use every opportunity you have to let teachers know what an amazing job they’re doing, whether it’s through the daily announcements, a weekly newsletter, or the school marquee/LED sign.

For more ideas, check out our Teacher Appreciation Week Pinterest board! However you choose to celebrate your teachers, the effort and care you put in will shine through.