Teacher Appreciation Week


MVE's Most Wanted: Teacher Appreciation Week 2026

Our teachers are the heart of Mountain View Elementary. Now it's our turn to show them they're #1 on our list.

Every day, our educators show up, go above and beyond, and pour their energy into our students. From early mornings to late nights grading papers, they give endlessly. Now it's our turn to give back.

Join the MVE PTA as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, with our "MVE Most Wanted" theme. Let's make this the most memorable week yet for the people who make our school shine.



Why Your Support Matters

The PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not receive government funding for events like Teacher Appreciation Week. We rely entirely on the generosity of families like yours.

Without your help, there would be no:

  • Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week celebrations
  • Free school events like Movie Night and Beach Bash
  • Classroom grants and teacher resources
  • Lounge Takeovers and staff appreciation meals

Every single donation—whether $5 or $50—directly impacts our teachers and our school community.

If you would like to volunteer to help this week or spoiling the staff the whole year too, please email mveptateam@gmail.com to let us know of your interest. 

Ways You Can Help Right Now

1. Donate Gift Cards

Help us give our teachers the flexibility to treat themselves. Gift cards to coffee shops, restaurants, Target, Amazon, or anywhere else let them choose what they truly want or need. 

Your donation goes directly toward making our teachers feel seen and valued.

Click here to donate toward gift cards


2. Contribute to the Trail Mix Bar

We are building an epic Trail Mix Bar for our teachers to enjoy all week long! Sign up to bring:

  • Nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts)
  • Chocolate chips or M&Ms
  • Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, bananas)
  • Pretzels, granola, or cereal
  • Any other fun mix-ins!

Every item helps create a delicious, healthy snack station our teachers will love.

Sign up to bring Trail Mix Bar items

🔗 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4FAEAA28A1FE3-62764985-teacher


Student Hero Section

TOP SECRET: You've Been Recruited as a Kindness Agent!

Calling all MVE Students! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to show your teacher that they are MVE's Most Wanted—for being amazing, kind, and the best teacher ever!

During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8), you will receive five secret missions. Complete them at home, bring them to school, and watch your teacher's face light up.

Your mission objectives:

  • Complete one mission each day (or whenever works for you!)
  • Use the supplies you already have at home
  • Make your teacher feel like the hero they truly are

Your Top Secret Daily Missions

Choose your own adventure! Complete missions in any order, on any day. Just make sure your teacher receives their special surprise by Friday, May 8th.

Monday Mission: Most Wanted Poster 

Your Mission: Create a "Most Wanted" poster that celebrates your teacher's superpowers. 

The Goal: Instead of listing crimes, list all the amazing things your teacher does that make them a classroom hero.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Download or create your poster template.
    • Free printable templates are available from Teach Starter . You can also use Canva's free teacher poster templates to design something special online .
    • No printer? No problem! Just grab a piece of paper and draw your own Wanted-style frame.
  2. Fill in the "Wanted For" section.
    Write down the super skills your teacher has. Some ideas to get you started:
    • "Wanted for Making Math Actually Fun"
    • "Wanted for Giving the Best High-Fives"
    • "Wanted for Never Giving Up on Me"
    • "Wanted for Reading the Best Stories"
  3. Draw your teacher's portrait.
    In the middle of the poster, draw a picture of your teacher. Add their favorite color, a superhero cape, or whatever makes them special to you.
  4. Add the finishing touches.
    Decorate your poster with stars, badges, or a border. Write your name at the bottom so your teacher knows who their secret agent is!
  5. Deliver your mission.
    Bring your finished poster to school and give it to your teacher. You can hand it to them in the morning or leave it on their desk as a surprise.

Tuesday Mission: Memory Mission 

Your Mission: Write or draw one specific memory with your teacher that made you smile. 

The Goal: Give your teacher a keepsake they can treasure forever.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Think of a special moment.
    Close your eyes and remember a time your teacher:
    • Helped you understand something tricky
    • Made you laugh
    • Said something that made you feel proud
    • Noticed you were having a tough day and cheered you up
  2. Choose your format.
    • Younger agents (K-2): Draw a picture of your memory. Add 3-5 labels to explain what's happening (like "goldfish" next to the class pet) .
    • Older agents (3-5):Write a short paragraph or fill in these sentence starters:
      • "Remember when you helped me..."
      • "My favorite day in your class was..."
      • "You made me feel special when..."
  3. Add a creative touch.
    Decorate your memory page with drawings, stickers, or washi tape. Make it colorful and fun!
  4. Package your mission.
    Fold your memory page and put it in an envelope. On the outside, write: "TOP SECRET: For [Teacher's Name]'s Eyes Only"
  5. Deliver your mission.
    Slip the envelope onto your teacher's desk when they're not looking, or hand it to them at the end of the day.

Wednesday Mission: Paper Flower Bouquet 

Your Mission: Create a beautiful bouquet of paper flowers that will never wilt.

The Goal: Brighten your teacher's desk with a handmade, colorful craft that shows you care.

What You'll Need:

  • Colored construction paper or card stock
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick or craft glue
  • Pencil for tracing
  • Optional: markers, glitter, or stickers for decorating

Free Printable Template:

You can download a free paper flower bouquet template from Just Do Crafts or In The Playroom to make tracing and cutting super easy.

Step-by-Step Instructions:Step 1: Print or trace your flower shapes.

  • Download the free PDF template from justdocrafts.com .
  • Trace the patterns onto colored paper. Choose bright colors for petals (red, pink, yellow, purple) and green for stems and leaves.

Step 2: Cut out all the pieces.

Carefully cut out:

  • 9 petals (3 for each flower)
  • 3 stems (green)
  • 6 leaves (green)
  • 1 bouquet wrapper (your choice of color)

Step 3: Assemble each flower.

  • Take 3 petals of the same color.
  • Fold two of the petals in half gently.
  • Glue them to the third petal to create a 3D flower shape .
  • Repeat to make 3 flowers total.

Step 4: Attach stems and leaves.

  • Glue one flower to the top of each stem.
  • Fold each leaf in half lengthwise for a more realistic look .
  • Glue the leaves along the sides of the stems.

Step 5: Create the bouquet wrapper.

  • Fold the bouquet wrapper piece along the dotted line (if using the template).
  • Arrange your 3 flowers together like a bouquet.
  • Wrap the wrapper around the stems and secure with glue.

Step 6: Add your personal message.

  • Write on a small tag: "Thanks for helping me grow!" or "You're my favorite teacher!"
  • Glue the tag to the front of the bouquet.

Step 7: Deliver your mission.

Place the bouquet on your teacher's desk. They can keep it on their desk all year long!

Thursday Mission: Supply Drop 

Your Mission: Bring in ONE small classroom supply to help your teacher's "supply herd." 

The Goal: Teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money on classroom supplies every year . Your mission is to help restock something they use every day.

What You Can Bring (choose ONE): 

  • A box of tissues
  • A pack of dry-erase markers
  • A bottle of hand sanitizer
  • A pack of glue sticks
  • A box of bandages
  • A pack of pencils or erasers

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Look around your house.
    Ask a parent if you have any extra supplies that your teacher might need. Sometimes there are boxes of tissues or packs of markers hiding in a closet!
  2. Write a short note.
    On a sticky note or small piece of paper, write:
    • "Thanks for helping me learn!"
    • "You're the best teacher ever!"
    • Or draw a small picture
  3. Attach your note.
    Stick your note onto the supply item with a small piece of tape.
  4. Deliver your mission.
    Place the supply on your teacher's desk in the morning. Watch their face when they see it!

Friday Mission: The Deputy's Roundup 🤠

Your Mission: Round up thank you notes for THREE other adults at MVE who help make your school great.

The Goal: Show appreciation for the "unsung heroes" of MVE—the people who help you every day but may not get a classroom full of thank you notes.

Why This Mission is Different: Your teacher already knows how much you appreciate them. This mission is about the other adults who make your school run—the ones who don't have their own class of students to spoil them.

Who Can You Thank?

  • The librarian who helped you find a great book
  • The lunch lady who gives you an extra smile every day
  • The custodian who cleans up messes without complaining
  • The front office staff who answer your questions
  • The art, music, or PE teacher who made you laugh
  • The recess paraprofessional who plays catch with you
  • Your teacher from last year

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Create three simple thank you notes.
    • Use three small sticky notes or cut three small pieces of paper.
    • On each one, write just ONE sentence.
    • Choose your sentence starter:
    • "Thank you for..."
    • "I noticed that you..."
    • "You made my day when..."
    • Examples:
    • "Thank you for always having a bandage when I fall."
    • "I noticed that you stay late to clean our classroom. Thank you!"
    • "You made my day when you remembered my name."
  2. Draw a small sheriff badge on each note.
    • A simple star shape is all you need.
    • Color it yellow or gold if you have those colors.
  3. Fold each note in half.
    • On the outside, write the person's name or job (example: "For the Lunch Lady" or "For Mr. Mike").
  4. Go on your roundup!
    • During arrival, recess, lunch, or dismissal, keep your eyes open for your three people.
    • Walk up to them, hand them the note, and say: "You're wanted at MVE. Thank you for everything you do!"
    • Then walk away like a cool deputy.

Mission Complete, Deputy! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes! MVE PTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. You will receive a donation receipt for your records. 

Can I donate gift cards I already have?

Absolutely. Unused gift cards to any retailer or restaurant are welcome. You can drop them off at the school office or email us to arrange pickup.

I can't donate financially.  How else can I help?

You can still participate by signing up to bring an item for the Trail Mix Bar or by filling out the thank-you note be low for your child's teacher.  Every gesture counts!

Download FilePDF • 488KB


Where do donations go?

100% of your contribution goes directly to Teacher Appreciation Week activities, including gift cards for every staff member, food for daily events, and decorations.