Any Teacher of the Year nominee will truly appreciate a gift that comes from the combined efforts of everyone in the class. Class projects, especially done in secret, can have a lasting, heart-warming effect on the nominated teacher. A T-shirt that has been signed by everyone in the class makes a great gift, and one that will last if it is protected by a glass frame. An ordinary ceramic flowerpot becomes a teacher's keepsake when all the children take turns adding a painted fingerprint or design to it. Other examples include special classroom videos with songs, or a classroom cookbook, where every student can contribute a family recipe.
Students enjoy thanking their teachers for many things, whether it's for their patience and guidance, their attention to individual students' needs or for being around for the children at difficult times in their lives. A couple of gifts that make great "Thank Yous" include candles, flower or food baskets, books, hand-made certificates, and personalized stationary.
Taking your favorite Teacher of the Year nominee to lunch as a class is a great way to show respect and honor to them. While it may be hard for large classes to make reservations at restaurants, students can always arrange a potluck celebration lunch at the school. Have all the children in the class bring their favorite foods, drinks and other lunch dishes. Set up a large table in the room for a special luncheon. Make sure the teacher has the opportunity to give a speech -- to thank the students and to practice for what they'll say at the awards ceremony should they win.
Scrapbooks, memory books, photo albums and collages are deeply moving ways for children to commemorate their teacher's performances and achievements. These simple treasures become life-long memories. Create scrapbooks by having each child make a copy of their favorite assignments, and add several photos of various field trips and recess or playtime moments. Have all of the children sign the back cover, just like any yearbook, and add sentimental thoughts, quotes or words of wisdom they've learned.