Teacher Appreciation Week just ended, and a lot of students gave their teachers gifts. It can be hard to choose the right gift, but most people agree it should be something thoughtful. It doesn’t have to be expensive either. A simple note or a small gift card can mean a lot.

“The best gifts are the ones that show students care,”Crystal Barnes, a freshman math teacher said.

Some students brought in homemade treats, and others gave things like mugs with their teachers name or stuff they can use everyday. Since teachers spend a lot of their own money on supplies, gifts like expo markers, sticky notes, pens or tissues were super helpful. Sharon Genus, who teaches child development said she really appreciates things like good markers or tissues. 

A lot of students gave small gift cards too, like $5 to starbucks or target. Even if it’s not a big amount, it shows you care. Some students made their gifts using art, like painting flower pots, baking cookies or decorating notebooks. These kinds of gifts feel really personal.

One of the most special gifts was a handwritten letter. Just saying thank you and writing about how a teacher helps you can mean more than anything.

“I keep every letter I get from students. When I have a bad day, I read them,” Rebecca Stevens, the Latin teacher, said.

In the end, every teacher just wants to feel appreciated. Whether it was a small gift, a kind note or just saying thanks, it really made a difference. The best gifts aren’t always from a store. They came from the heart.