CA Teacher Appreciation Week 2024: Gift Ideas, Teacher Freebies

CALIFORNIA — It's National Teacher Appreciation Week in 2024, and in California, there are many ways to demonstrate what your favorite teacher means to you.

National Teacher Day is celebrated on Tuesday, May 7, and appreciation week runs from Monday through Friday, according to the National PTA. This year's theme is "Teachers are our Shining Stars," making the world brighter, one student at a time. 2024 is the 125th anniversary of the PTA organization, which has uplifted teachers and provided an outlet for parents who wish to support their schools.

Ideas for students and families to show appreciation:

• Write a thank-you note to your child's teacher.
• Bring a flower from your garden.
• Give your child's teacher a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant. Better still, create a "gift card arrangement" with multiple small gift cards for their favorite coffee shop, store, and restaurant.
• Volunteer your time in your child's classroom.
• Donate school supplies to your child's teacher.
• Say "thank you" to a teacher who made a difference in your life.

For teachers, there are multiple discounts and deals this week.

Restaurant Deals:

• Applebee's
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Firehouse Subs
• Golden Corral
• Insomnia Cookies
• Krispy Kreme
• Raising Cane's
• Sonic
• TGI Friday's: Free meal for teachers on Tuesday, May 7.

Discounts/Shopping:

• Free Canva Pro Account.
• Office Depot and Office Max are offering 30% in bonus rewards through June 29.
• Participating Staples stores are giving away free supply kits to teachers between May 4 and 11 and 20% off in-store purchases. The kids include:
  • 2 Expo dry-erase markers.
  • Sharpie permanent marker.
  • 2 Sharpie highlighters.
  • 2 Paper Mate ballpoint Pens.
  • 8 Paper Mate pencils.
  • 2 Paper Mate erasers.
  • 1 Elmer's Glue Stick.
  • 1 bottle Elmer's liquid school glue.

On the www.TeachForAmerica.org website, teachers can find discounts on everything from mattresses to car rentals to the Calm app and electronic purchases.

The California Teachers Association shared their thoughts on the week in a recent announcement.

"We are saying 'thank you' this week and throughout the year to the extraordinary educators who have worked tirelessly with students and families to keep things moving forward despite such an unpredictable year."

The National Education Association's president, Becky Pringle, shared her thoughts specifically to educators on this special week.

"Educators, you are leading the way. Guiding and protecting, nurturing and supporting our precious students across this nation," Pringle said. "Every day, all day, you provide our students with the tools they need to build a future that will help them live into their wildest dreams."

No matter what you do, take some time during Teacher Appreciation Week to show your educators how much you appreciate them.