Twinkl survey reveals two-thirds of teachers rely on gifts and donations to provide students with enough materials, while educators rate Ms Frizzle from The Magic School Bus as the ultimate fictional educator.

This national Teacher Appreciation Week, a survey of over 1,700 U.S. educators, by Twinkl, the global educational publisher, has revealed that 59% of teachers are hoping for simple classroom supplies - although almost all educators would equally welcome a genuine message of thanks from current or former students.

Beginning Monday, May 5, Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual event where students and parents show their thanks for the effort, dedication, and skill of the teachers educating the next generation. Typically, teachers are treated to gifts of various kinds from their class. However, the Twinkl survey reveals that only 57% of teachers feel appreciated during the yearly period of goodwill.

With school budgets continuing to be stretched, a substantial 66% of teachers say they rely on gifts and donations to provide their students with enough materials (e.g., pencils, crayons, markers, paper, glue, etc)  during the school year. As a result, ‘classroom supplies’ topped teacher wishlists for Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, followed by help obtaining curriculum materials. 

• 59% - would like to receive classroom supplies this Teacher Appreciation Week
• 34% - classroom curriculum materials
• 25% - coffee shop gift card 
• 20% restaurant gift card
• 17% - spa/salon gift card
• 12% - personalized gift

In terms of classroom supplies, arts and crafts items (41%) are the most sought-after gift, followed by tissues/wet wipes (30%) and pens/pencils (27%). 

“Our survey shows the ongoing reality for many teachers across the U.S. – that they require support from their communities to ensure they have the basic materials and resources to teach effectively in the classroom,” commented Jude Schroeder, Twinkl U.S. Country Manager, and a former teacher. “With low salaries still a strain for many teachers, coffee and food gifts remain highly appreciated too. Perhaps slightly troublingly, only a small majority of educators feel the love during a week created to help them feel appreciated for their work. Hopefully, 2025’s celebration will see this figure trend upwards!” 

Meanwhile, half of teachers do not want to receive a “world’s best teacher” style mug (50%), topping the list of undesired presents. Mugs were followed by bath products (40%), candy (31%), candles (30%), and classroom storage/decor (11%).

Despite a clear need for material presents, a massive 95% of teachers would value a thank you card from a student “as high or higher” than a gift. Ninety-four percent would be equally happy with a parent thank you note, while 93% would be overjoyed by a visit from a former student to find out how they are getting on. 

Ms. Frizzle tops fictional teacher standings

To celebrate the profession this Teacher Appreciation Week, Twinkl also asked survey respondents who their all-time favorite fictional teacher was. The shortlist contained major educator-figures from mainstream popular culture over the past fifty years. 

American teachers were clear when it came to deciding who their favorite was, with 53% voting for Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus - a beloved book and TV series that focuses on the antics of a fictional elementary school teacher and her class, who use the school’s enchanted bus to go on field trips to unusual times and locations, such as to see the dinosaurs, visit outer space, and explore inside a human body.

Miss Honey from Matilda was a distant second with 25% of the vote. Perhaps surprisingly, Miss Trunchbull, the evil headmistress from Matilda, was among the most admired figures for a not insignificant 2% of teachers! Hogwarts Deputy Head Minerva McGonnagal was third-placed, making her comfortably more popular than her wizarding colleagues Albus Dumbledore and Professor Snape.

The top 10 favourite fictional teachers can be found below:

• Ms. Frizzle (The Magic School Bus) - 53%
• Miss Honey (Matilda) - 25%
• Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter) - 20% 
• Rafiki (Lion King) - 20%
• Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid) - 15% 
• Mr. Feeney (Boy Meets World) - 14%
• John Keating (Dead Poets Society) - 13%
• Mr. Ray (Finding Nemo) - 13%
• Yoda (Star Wars) - 12%
• Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter) - 10%

Parents and students can download free printable teacher appreciation cards and other materials, here. They can also learn more about Teacher Appreciation Week, including ideas and resources for how to thank teachers via this Twinkl blog.

U.S. teachers can also enjoy a free trial of Twinkl Ultimate, providing unlimited access to Twinkl’s resources library and other educational tools, here. 

About Twinkl’s Teacher Appreciation Week survey

Twinkl surveyed 1,716 U.S.-based teachers, making it a statistically representative sample. The survey was conducted between April 7 and April 11, 2025.