Planning guide
Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas (May 3–7, 2027)
Published November 5, 2026 · 6 min read
Teacher Appreciation Week 2027 runs May 3 to 7, with Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 4. The best ideas give teachers something they can enjoy during a packed week without adding to it. Here's one idea for each day, plus what a staff breakfast costs and how to plan it.
A day-by-day plan for Teacher Appreciation Week
- Monday: notes from students. Each class writes a card or a sentence for their teacher. It costs nothing and it's the thing teachers keep.
- Tuesday (Teacher Appreciation Day): a staff breakfast. A hot breakfast before the first bell, cooked to order in the library, cafeteria or staff lounge. See teacher appreciation catering.
- Wednesday: a coffee or espresso bar. Lattes and cappuccinos in the staff lounge, $7 a person with us.
- Thursday: duty coverage. Parents or administrators cover lunch or recess duty so teachers get a real break.
- Friday: a classroom wish list. Families pick something from each teacher's supply list.
More teacher appreciation ideas
- A snack cart that visits classrooms in the afternoon.
- Reserved parking for a teacher chosen by students.
- A shout-out board in the front hallway, filled in by families.
- A treat for the whole staff, including paraprofessionals, custodians and office staff, who are easy to miss.
What a staff breakfast costs
| Guests | Package | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | $349 | $17.45 |
| 50 | $635 | $12.70 |
| 100 | $1,040 | $10.40 |
| 20–29 guests | 1 hour |
| 30–59 guests | 90 minutes |
| 60+ guests | 2 hours |
Planning checklist for the PTO
- Book by March. The first full week of May is one of the busiest weeks of the year for school breakfasts.
- Confirm the time with the principal: usually 30 to 60 minutes before the first bell.
- Check the space. Runs indoors in lobbies, break rooms, cafeterias and ballrooms, in about a 10 by 10 foot space with 2 to 3 dedicated 20-amp outlets. No open flame, smoke or grease.
- Count everyone on staff, not just classroom teachers.
More in why teachers love waffle catering, or check your date.
Frequently asked questions
When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2027?
May 3 to 7, 2027, the first full week of May. National Teacher Appreciation Day is the Tuesday of that week, May 4, 2027.
What's a good Teacher Appreciation Week idea for the whole staff?
A staff breakfast before the first bell. It reaches every teacher, paraprofessional and office staff member at once, takes nothing out of class time, and the PTO or administration can organize it in one call.
How much does a teacher appreciation breakfast cost?
For a live waffle station from Tom's Waffles, $349 for 20 guests (about $17.45 per person) or $635 for 50 guests (about $12.70 per person), before tax, with setup, service and cleanup included. Coffee and hot chocolate add $3 a guest; an espresso bar adds $7 a person.
Can you serve before school starts?
Yes, as long as the building is open. The crew arrives at least 80 minutes before service to set up and start cooking, so the first waffles are ready when doors open, and packs everything up within 30 minutes after.
Do you have gluten-free options for staff?
Yes. Gluten-free waffles are cooked on dedicated gluten-free equipment. Ask for them when you book.