For many students, the time has come to start a new school year. While you are packing your student’s backpack for their first day back, some students like to bring a small gift for their teacher to kick off the new year. Whether as a back-to-school gift for a new teacher, or a thank you gift for a previous one, below are some of our favorite ideas and they all have a social good or give back element to them!
Do note that checking your school’s gifting policy is a smart first step as some schools prefer group gifts from the entire class and discourage individual gifts with a preference for handmade cards or food for the entire staff instead.
Fund another classroom project in your teacher’s name
DonorsChoose allows teachers around the country to share their classroom needs – from supplies to funding for field trips to items that support student attendance – and empowers individuals like you to be their hero and fund their needs.
Wear your favorite book
From Le Petit Prince to Where the Wild Things Are, Out of Print creates wearable pieces such as shirts and totes that feature literary classics. In addition to being a trendy way to showcase your teacher’s favorite book, they also support literary programs around the world.
Every now and then, every teacher needs a glass of wine
The name of this wine says a lot, as do their labels. If appropriate in your school, consider gifting #NastyWomanWines, unapologetically feminist wines that support organizations focused on equality in representation. Other wine brands that give back include One Hope Wines and Proud Pour.
Give a gift card so they can relax, grab a bite, or do something just for themselves
Many teachers appreciate receiving a small gift card as a token of appreciation and there are a few retailors that pay it forward with gift card purchases. Nordstrom, for example, donates 1% of all gift card purchases to local nonprofits.
Sprout ideas and plants
Consider gifting school supplies that can be utilized in the classroom and beyond like the Sprout pencil, which can be planted when its used down to the stub. You can also peruse a larger selection of school supplies through Yoobi which utilizes a BOGO model towards classrooms in need.
Planners, journals, and diaries, oh my!
From lecture planning to grading journals, every teacher seems to utilize some sort of book to keep everything straight. We love Bright Books’ journals and their model of providing solar lights through partnerships. For the more digital teachers, we love The Happiness Planner slew of digital product and apps.
Are you a teacher? Have you received a gift that really hit the mark? Share it with us @StarfishMarta.
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