Celebrate the Heart of Your Program: Teacher Appreciation Week 2026

Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 runs May 4–8. But the best directors know that appreciation isn’t a once-a-year event. It’s a culture you build every single day. This year, let’s celebrate intentionally and use the tools at your fingertips to make it stick year-round.

Timeless ways to show appreciation

Bring their favorite treat A small snack goes a long way. Find out what they love (more on how to do that below).	Give them a real break Read aloud to a class, cover outdoor recess, or supervise lunch. Time away from the room is the gift that truly restores.
Craft a student-made banner Collect messages from each child and hang them in the hallway. Public recognition is powerful and completely free.	Write a personal email or note Reference something specific you observed. “I watched you comfort Marcus during nap time on Tuesday” often means more than any gift card.
Create an individual award Design a custom award for each teacher that calls out their unique strength. Post it in their classroom all year long.	Let parents “tell on” a teacher Create a wall where families can brag about a teacher by name. Use the week to launch it, then keep it up permanently.

Use IntelliKid Systems to appreciate smarter

The best appreciation is specific. IKS gives you the tools to collect, share, and act on what your teachers actually love.

IntelliForms: collect each teacher’s “favorites” list

Before May 4th, use our IntelliForms feature to send a fillable questionnaire straight to your staff — think favorite snack, coffee order, candle scent, gift card pick, and whatever else makes them feel appreciated. Once your teachers fill it out, use our Campaign feature to send that info directly to your families so parents know exactly how to make their teacher's week extra special. No more guessing, no more generic gifts — just the good stuff. And here's the best part: save those responses and bring them back out for birthdays and milestones all year long!

Parent messaging: invite families to leave a named review

Use the IKS messaging tools to send families a simple campaign during Teacher Appreciation Week asking them to leave a Google review and call out their favorite teacher by name. It’s one of the most powerful (and underused) appreciation gestures: public recognition that also builds your program’s reputation.

The bigger picture

Teacher Appreciation Week is a launching pad, not a finish line. As the saying goes, “Teaching is a work of heart.” In early childhood especially, your teachers are laying the foundation for lifelong learning, providing safety and warmth for children experiencing school for the very first time, and partnering with families in a way no other profession does.

The most meaningful thing you can do as a director isn’t a single grand gesture. It’s building a culture where teachers feel seen, specific, and celebrated every day. Use the week to start something. Use your tools to keep it going.