10 Bold Ways to Show Teachers Appreciation This Thanksgiving

Chop the Chores - Let teachers skip the mundane tasks! Assign a week where admin, parents, or student volunteers handle hall duty, bus duty, or even taking down bulletin boards.

No-Email Zone Day - Declare a tech-free day for teachers where they don’t have to respond to emails, attend meetings, or deal with administrative tasks. Let them focus solely on teaching and relaxing.

Teacher Swap Challenge - Have the principal or school board members teach a class for a day, giving teachers the rare luxury of a free day to plan or recharge. Bonus: It builds empathy and respect!

Leave On Time Passes - Issue “Leave on Time” passes for a week where teachers can leave immediately at the end of their contractual hours without judgment or guilt.

Student Takeover Week - Let students run a few lessons (supervised, of course) to give teachers a break and highlight how challenging the job truly is.

Public Praise Parade - Create a schoolwide celebration where students and parents write positive notes, poems, or even TikTok videos praising teachers. Display them on bulletin boards or a social media takeover.

Surprise Classroom Makeovers - Offer teachers a classroom upgrade: new supplies, furniture, or just fresh decor. Parents and students could pitch in to make it happen!

Time Off Tokens - Gift teachers with a token for a half-day off, with their class covered by admin or qualified substitutes.

Teacher's Choice Gifts - Instead of generic gifts, let teachers create personalized wish lists for their classroom or personal needs—then have parents, students, or the school surprise them by fulfilling an item or two from their list!

Turn the Tables Night - Host a school-wide roast where teachers playfully “evaluate” the admin and parents. It’s a lighthearted, risky, but meaningful way to level the playing field and share laughs.