Thanking teachers is not simple, because what they give is so vast. Often, what they do is underappreciated and unacknowledged. And for many reasons, being a teacher now is harder than ever.
So as the school year comes to an end, we have some ideas for teacher gifts that can make their jobs a bit easier and let them know how much their students care. While teachers undoubtedly love the sentiment behind World’s Greatest Teacher tchotchkes, those kinds of things quickly become clutter. These tech-centric presents will have them thinking of and thanking their past students every day.
As teacher Barbara Walsh told PCMag, “I always appreciate thank-you gifts from students and their parents. That said, please, no more candles or mugs! Gift cards are a great present, since we can purchase what we want or need. Some parents go in on a card together, so each can donate just a small amount. One other thing I really appreciate is a personal note from parents and kids. Those mean a lot.”
We make plenty of suggestions for gifts that cost around $25, even less in some cases. But the prices on some of these items go far beyond what one family would spend on an end-of-the-year gift for a teacher. For those, we suggest that multiple parents choose a gift they can chip in on together.
And if you want to expand on your gratitude and generosity to educators, you can donate to Donors Choose(Opens in a new window), which lets you support a classroom in need.
Quiet Time
Teachers spend most of the day putting on a show: educating, entertaining, and engaging an audience that in many cases would rather be elsewhere. It’s exhausting. They need some time to tune out, and that’s what these Sony earphones(Opens in a new window) help them do. These noise-canceling wireless earphones let you listen to music or a podcast, or even take a call during some free time without loud school noises interrupting.
Class Project
A projector is a great way for a class to connect with educational material simultaneously. The ViewSonic M1 mini+(Opens in a new window) is portable, so teachers easily can take it with them. Wi-Fi lets teachers connect the projector to other devices without cords, and an adjustable stand means they don’t have to balance it on a pile of books. The M1 mini+ also has an integrated JBL Bluetooth speaker that can carry sound to the back of the room.
Cutting the Line
The Cricut Explore 3(Opens in a new window) is an electronic cutting machine and the simplest way for teachers to create classroom signs, customize classroom decor, and even personalize items such as student folders. It cuts over 100 materials and works wirelessly with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices.
Charging Up
A teacher uses a phone as a source for learning in the classroom, and of course, it serves as their personal connection to so much. That means that keeping the battery charged is vital. The Anker PowerWave Stand(Opens in a new window) keeps phones charged and visible so that teachers can easily refer to notes, control what’s on a projector, check their messages, and more.
Class Pet
A teacher’s desk can pile up with papers and other detritus over the course of a day. The Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse(Opens in a new window) lets them control a screen from wherever they find some space. It comes in seven colors that can help brighten up the classroom and their day.
Backup Fit for a Backpack
Teachers can use a portable hard drive to transport work between home and school without overstuffing their bags, and they won’t have to rely on an internet connection to access what they need for a lesson. The LaCie Rugged Mini(Opens in a new window) ensures that everything they have stored survives the commute and any classroom clumsiness.
Let the Whole Class See
Overhead projectors are a thing of the past, but teachers now can share materials with the whole class using document cameras such as the Inswan INS-1(Opens in a new window). Autofocus and digital zoom are among its many useful features.
Scoring 100%
Teachers don’t always get a chance to charge their gadgets during the day. They may not have a convenient outlet in their classroom—or they might not even have a classroom of their own. The Anker Portable USB-C Charger(Opens in a new window) lets them charge on the go.
By the Book
Sometimes you need to put pen to paper to work out ideas or take notes. For teachers who do this but still like to be able to access it all digitally, the Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook(Opens in a new window) is a great solution. Using the notebook and included pen, you can take pages of notes and then scan them with the accompanying app. When you’re done storing the notes, use the included cloth to wipe the pages clean and start again. Rocketbooks come in lots of colors and several sizes, including a cool mini version(Opens in a new window).
Timing is Everything
Countdown timers can keep a class on task. The Time Timer(Opens in a new window) comes in an array of colors to stand out so that kids can get a quick visual of how much time they have left for assignments, tests, projects, and cleanup. Teachers of younger kids might find the adorable Animal Timer(Opens in a new window) an even better fit for their classroom style.
Coffee Break
Uninterrupted enjoyment of a hot beverage is not something that generally happens in a classroom. Teachers have to steal sips here and there of their tepid tea or coffee. The Ember Travel Mug 2(Opens in a new window) keeps the temperature of whatever they’re drinking consistent for up to three hours.
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