The Girls on the Run after-school program is led by trained, caring volunteer coaches. Many GOTR coaches are teachers. Every GOTR season, we are grateful for the generosity and heart of our educator coaches. This National Teacher’s Day, we are encouraging families and students of all ages to take a moment to recognize the educators who support them every day with six meaningful actions, activities, or no-cost gifts.
Is there a teacher whose influence continues to inspire you today? Do you still refer to advice they shared or emulate a trait of theirs you’ve long admired?
If we’re lucky, we can name at least one stand-out educator who has made such an impact. Even during stressful or challenging days, this person went far beyond the job description in delivering lessons. They ignited curiosity, built confidence, and saw potential in us even before we believed in ourselves.
As adults, we may recall the math teacher from fifth grade who patiently walked us through long division, the professor who offered extended office hours to assist with our dissertation, or the instructor who displayed our welding as an example in a trades course. These memories don’t fade over time. The experience of feeling seen and supported is something we always remember. As a result, these moments often become cornerstones in our personal and professional growth.
A great teacher’s impact comes in many forms and is often woven into the fiber of our being.
That’s the magic of a meaningful role model. They use their voices to transform our lives for the better while allowing us to be our true selves.
In celebration of National Teacher’s Day, we’ve compiled a list of six ways to show teachers appreciation. If you are a caregiver or parent, we encourage you to pass along these tips and work beside your kid (or empower them to work with their classmates) to give back to someone who constantly gives so much to them.
Are you currently in school or a recent graduate? Plenty of options below can work for you, too! It’s never too late to share your appreciation for a teacher, professor, instructor, or pass gratitude along to members of their family. Happy National Teachers Day, and shout-out one final time to the educator coaches who help make the GOTR mission a reality!
Handwritten Letters
A letter filled with loving words is a timeless joy-sparker for a reason! Writing a letter to a teacher is a simple yet powerful act that leaves a lasting impact, oftentimes more than the writer even knows. The judgment-free space of a blank notecard or a piece of loose-leaf paper allows students to express genuine gratitude and highlight how much their teacher matters to them. They don’t have to worry about speaking up in class or feeling awkward. The writing is all on their terms!
The best part is it’s all in students’ individual style—handwriting, spelling errors, doodles, scribbles, sentence fragments, and all. These small but charming details only add to the meaningfulness of each National Teacher’s Day note. Letters feel personal and intentional in a way that text messages or passing comments sometimes fall short. In fact, letters often become a cherished keepsake that teachers can refer to whenever they need a boost!
Class Gratitude Poster
When a classroom of students unites to create a gratitude poster for their teacher, it results in more than just a bright display that adds color to the school – it’s a sign of appreciation, recognition, and connectedness. With each student’s personal touch, the gratitude board becomes a mirror of the educator who continually supports and inspires them. Together, the students’ words of gratitude form a clear message to their teacher: we see, value, and celebrate all you do for us.
All students need for this National Teacher’s Day gift is a blank poster, some markers, and any other decals they’d like to add to make the board pop! To start, students (or a parent) should write in the center of the board, “We’re grateful for [teacher’s name] because …” Next, each student writes a compliment surrounding that central text and adds any flair they feel aligns with their inclusion. A few thoughtful examples include: “She always encourages me,” or “He helps me when I am stuck on a problem.” Should your kid’s class not have the opportunity to create a board together, this activity also works as a meaningful gift for students to develop and give on their own!
Compliment Chain
Every day at school, teachers help students form links that connect and strengthen their knowledge, confidence, skills, and so much more. With the compliment chain activity, kids flip the script and create links of their own to form a symbol of appreciation and heart. Creating this gift prompts students to pause, reflect, and think about the attributes that make their teacher wonderful.
To create a compliment chain for National Teacher’s Day, students should first cut colorful strips of paper long enough to form a loop. Next, they write a compliment about their teacher and decorate it with stickers, markers, or any other fun craft supplies. From there, students connect the links of each note with tape to create a chain. Lastly, students deliver their beautiful chain of kind words to the teacher who is linking them to a future where they are destined to succeed!
Teacher Portrait
Each student’s point of view is highly unique. Supporting students’ individuality is a key part of being an educator, but not one that goes without great benefits and enrichment. By witnessing how each student sees the world, teachers learn how to best support them along their academic journey and often discover new perspectives themselves. The teacher portrait activity allows students to embrace their unique POV and show how they see their teacher in a highly celebratory yet imaginative way.
To make a portrait book a teacher will cherish forever, students start with a blank piece of paper and a writing tool. It’s important for students to focus not only on the teacher’s physical appearance, but also on other attributes that make them special. Students can highlight their personality traits, signature accessories, or classroom catchphrases. Once students complete their portraits, they can compile them into a book by pasting them into a scrapbook or large notebook. This fun, heartfelt activity will surely bring smiles to teachers’ faces and emphasize the individual marks they make on students daily.
Teacher Superlative Board
Remember yearbook superlatives? We have a fun activity that incorporates them in a way that reminds a teacher just how exceptional they are year-round. Like the gratitude board, students come together or create individual boards and jot down how their teacher is top-notch. From “Most Likely to Listen When I Need it” to “Most Likely to Make Me Laugh,” each superlative highlights the qualities students notice and admire in their teachers. As a whole, these titles reflect the remarkable impression this teacher has left on their students and how much they are celebrated for being who they are. This activity builds confidence in teachers and informs them that their efforts are making a difference, even if it is being “Most Likely to Plan Fun Pizza Parties.”
Classroom Supply Donation
Think back to a classroom from your past. Was it bursting with character? Did it radiate hope for the future? Did it have everything you needed to succeed? If so, none of these things happened by accident. Teachers go out of their way to develop environments where students can thrive, feel inspired, and be safe. Often, teachers achieve this by purchasing supplies out of their own pocket. For National Teacher’s Day, if your family has spare supplies, consider making a classroom donation. Do you have extra unused boxes of tissues, stickers, hand sanitizer, writing utensils, or computer paper? These resources are great for any classroom! Regardless of size or scope, teachers will appreciate your effort to make their classroom more empowered, inclusive, and supported.
