What Teachers Actually Want for Teacher Appreciation Week (We Asked)
Teacher Appreciation Week is one of those moments that matters deeply… and yet somehow always sneaks up on us.
And when it does? We’re all asking the same question:
What do teachers actually want?
So this year, instead of guessing, we asked.
We talked to real teachers, elementary, middle school, and high school educators who are in the classroom every day, and one thing became clear very quickly:
👉 They don’t want another mug.
👉 They don’t want something that collects dust.
👉 They want to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
And yes… books were very much at the center of that.
What Teachers Told Us They Really Want
After combing through responses, a few themes stood out again and again:
1. Tools That Make Their Classroom Better
Teachers aren’t just thinking about themselves, they’re thinking about their students.
Classroom sets, meaningful stories, and books that spark discussion came up constantly. Titles like Wonder, The Giver, and Number the Stars aren’t just books, they’re experiences that shape how students see the world.
2. Thoughtful, Useful Gifts (Not Throwaways)
Teachers appreciate gifts, but only when they’re intentional.
They told us they love items they can actually use:
Totes for hauling books (because there are always more books)
Pouches for organizing the chaos
Pins and accessories that feel personal and fun
3. A Little Bit of Joy Just for Them
This one matters more than people realize.
Teachers give so much of themselves every day. Having something that feels like theirs, whether it’s a beloved classic like Pride and Prejudice or a beautifully crafted edition they wouldn’t buy for themselves, goes a long way.
So We Built Something Around That 💛
We took everything teachers shared with us and created something designed to do two things:
Celebrate teachers in a way that actually feels meaningful
Give them something they’ll truly love and bring into their classrooms.
🎉 Nominate a Teacher (and Win Big)
We’re inviting our community to nominate and vote for incredible teachers through our giveaway experience.
Because if there’s one thing teachers deserve… it’s recognition.
🏆 10 Grand Prize Winners: Classroom Sets
Each winning teacher will receive:
30 copies of LitJoy’s Annotated & Signed Special Edition of Wonder
Designed as a full classroom reading experience, so every student can read, reflect, and grow together.
How to use Wonder in the classroom - https://sites.prh.com/wonder/resources/
📚 10 Additional Winners: Curated Middle Grade Sets
Each winner will receive a thoughtfully selected set of four impactful middle grade books:
LitJoy’s Annotated & Signed Special Edition of Wonder
The Giver LitJoy Edition
Number the Stars LitJoy Edition
The Two Princesses of Bamarre LitJoy Edition
A curated collection designed to spark discussion, build empathy, and bring meaningful stories into the classroom.
🎁 Teacher Gift Bundles (Starting at $30)
We also created curated bundles based on different types of teachers because no two classrooms (or teachers) are the same.
✏️ English Teacher Gift: Literary Essentials
For the teachers who live in the margins, love a well-placed annotation, and carry entire libraries with them daily.
A thoughtful mix of practical and bookish essentials designed for the rhythm of grading, teaching, and revisiting the classics.
🖋️ Creative Writing Teacher Gift: Inspire & Ignite
For the teachers helping students find their voice and shape their stories.
This bundle brings together tools for creativity, reflection, and the quiet moments where ideas begin.
🍎 Elementary Teacher Gift: The Wonder-Filled Classroom
For the teachers building readers from the very beginning.
Centered around Wonder, this bundle supports not just reading, but the kind of learning that builds empathy, kindness, and confidence in every student.
Build Your Own Teacher Gift Bundle
Not sure which bundle fits? We’ve also pulled together a full Teacher Appreciation Collection so you can mix and match.
From classroom-ready books to bookish accessories and everyday essentials, you can create something that feels personal and not generic.
Whether it’s:
A stack of meaningful middle grade reads
A tote they’ll carry every day
Or a small, thoughtful addition that makes them smile
…it all adds up to the same thing:
👉 A teacher who feels appreciated in a way that actually matters.
Why This Matters
Teachers don’t just teach curriculum.
They build confidence.
They create safe spaces.
They introduce stories that stay with students for the rest of their lives.
And if there’s one thing we heard loud and clear, it’s this:
The best gifts are the ones that support both the teacher and the stories they bring into their classrooms.
Celebrate a Teacher Today 💛
Nominate a teacher.
Send a thoughtful gift.
Or simply take a moment to say thank you.
Because behind every reader… is a teacher who made it possible.
