I’m back with another round of back to school teacher gifts—this time for teachers of teens. If you’re looking for back to school gifts for elementary and early middle school teachers, check out my previous blog post for gift ideas here. Today, we’re shifting gears to focus on teachers of teens—8th to 12th grade teachers.
The back to school teacher gifts that I’ve chosen for this post serve the same purpose. They’re thoughtful gifts that show support and appreciation, and we’re not waiting. We’re celebrating our teachers from the first week of school and throughout the school year. Where things differ from my previous blog post is in style. For teachers of teens, we’re aiming for something a bit more elevated and less cutesy.
And here’s what I’ve heard through the grapevine (my teenagers—credible sources if you ask me)….high school teachers get lots of mugs and Starbucks cards as gifts. Surprised? I know I’ve contributed to the Starbucks stack for sure. Not to say these don’t make great gifts, but let’s shake things up with gifts that are still delightful, just with a twist.
Here are some back to school teacher gifts that I think are cool for teachers of teens:
back to school teacher gifts
Some Favorites From DesignWorks Ink
When I think of elevated paper goods and accessories brands, DesignWorks Ink is definitely on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this women-owned business offers high quality and beautifully designed products that are playful yet polished.
To gift teachers of teens, bundle a few pens or pencils with a DesignWorks Ink A Dopo Storage Tin, Small Chunky Notepad, or a Vegan Leather Pen Pouch. I also love their Saddle Stitch Flex Notebooks. These notebooks, in their Mod Geo design, come in a set of three, each with a unique design. They’re thin and lightweight, making it easy for teachers to slip into a binder or carry along for meetings.
back to school teacher gifts
Something For A Mid-day Break
A moment offline can work like magic for a quick recharge and The Sunday Club is a great screen-free option. This print publication officially launched just a few months ago and is already making waves with its reimagined newspaper experience that’s all fun and games—literally!
Help your high school teachers take a break from their screens and unwind pen and paper style with this beautifully designed print-only newspaper filled with puzzles and games (no news!) to enjoy. It’s sure to provide a welcome pause as they ease into the school year.
Even better? Gather funds from other parents and pay for a few subscriptions so there’s several in the breakroom or common area to share.
back to school teacher gifts
Something To Inspire
While I’ve kept teachers energized with my Starbucks gifts in the past, the best pick-me-up is words that uplift and inspire. Here are two gift options for teachers of teens that do just that:
1/ Verse Cards: Encouragement for Back To School by Gracelaced Co. This card set includes 30 Bible verse cards featuring beautiful artwork by GraceLaced Co.’s founder, Ruth Chou Simons on one side and an encouraging Bible verse on the other. The packaging is just as stunning and ready to gift.
You can also snag the Daisy Magnetic Bookmark Set and/or the Daily Focus Pad from their back to school collection to hold on to and gift teachers at a later date.
2/ Thoughtfulls Pop-Open Cards by Compendium. Add a little surprise and delight with this card set—30 pop-open cards with hidden inspirational quotes inside. Consider including a popcorn pack with a note that says “Just poppin’ in to wish you a great start to the school year!”
And Don’t Forget
Something You Can Carry On
- Pray for teachers
- Share any positive feedback your teen may have expressed—it will make their day.
- Be on the lookout for teacher supply requests or check their Amazon wishlist regularly
