3 Teacher Appreciation Ideas for Your Children’s Ministry

Our ministries could not run without the help of our wonderful teacher volunteers. Here are a few ideas to help your ministry with its teacher appreciation! 

3 Teacher Appreciation Ideas for Your Children’s Ministry

Idea #1: Weekly Celebrations

During Teacher Appreciation Month at our church, we recognized the teachers for their sacrifice and dedication in meeting the needs of our children. Each Sunday we surprised them with something new.

• First Sunday: We gave them a teacher’s pin with a verse telling how important they are to God.
• Second Sunday: We gave them gifts (all under $2) with notes attached to each of the wrapped items. For example, for a PayDay candy bar the note read “What a payday you’ll have in heaven.”
• Third Sunday: Kids gave the teachers thank-you letters for being such great teachers. We wrote letters to children asking them to write a letter to their teacher but to keep it a secret. Then children sent their letters to the church the week before. We delivered the letters to the teachers during Sunday school. Our teachers were so pleased to get these letters!
• Fourth Sunday: During our worship service, we gave a slide presentation showing the teachers interacting with the children. We also used this as a tool to recruit more volunteers.
• Fifth Sunday: The pastor recognized the teachers during the Sunday services. The teachers stood as the congregation applauded them.

The teachers have commented on how loved and appreciated they felt during this month. Many of them are now planning to continue to teach because of their renewed enthusiasm.

Melina Rabon
Covington, Louisiana

Idea #2: “Bach” to Basics

Show your appreciation for your teachers with this melodic idea. Play symphonic music as teachers arrive for your next teacher-training meeting. As an opener, ask them to tell which instrument they are most like as they teach. For example, someone may say, “I’m like a flute because I quietly share God’s beautiful truth.” Or someone may say, “I’m a big bass drum because I like lots of loud activity as kids learn.”

Give each person a Symphony candy bar. Say: When we all work together, we create our own symphony and make beautiful music for our Lord.

Rachel Brand
Ventura, California

Idea #3: Teacher’s Corner

To support our teachers and show our appreciation, we’ve set aside a room on Sundays just for teachers. In this room, we have

• coffee and juice;
• light snacks, such as muffins;
• a Bible verse to encourage or challenge teachers;
• resource information such as a brochure on parenting, an encouraging article, or helpful teaching ideas for future lessons. I make sure there’s something new and different to keep them checking back each week; and
• me! While this room reminds the teachers that our church values their ministry, there’s nothing more beneficial to teachers than a personal relationship with the children’s pastor. I spend time in the room getting to know teachers better.

Mark Green
Memphis, Tennessee

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