18 Graduation Gifts For A Newly Qualified Teacher

Help a new teacher prepare for a career educating future generations with a gift to make their life a little easier in the classroom.

Teaching is a wonderful profession.

As it's a job where you can make a real difference to the lives of the kids you teach.

Inspiring them to follow their passions, reach their full potential, and become well-rounded and decent human beings.

Which makes teaching such a rewarding career, and is one of the reasons so many people want to get into it.

So if you have a loved one who is a newly-graduated teacher, why not get them a gift that will help them as they start out on their teaching journey.

As they will need plenty of things to begin with as they kit out their classroom, and these all make great gifts to give them.

And you could also get them something that will help improve their teaching performance, as well as treating them to a gift to help them take care of themselves outside of school too.

So, have a look through the following list of graduation gift ideas for new teachers and see if there is something that you think they'd appreciate.

1. An Electric Pencil Sharpener

One of the most crucial items in any school classroom is the pencil sharpener, as the kids will constantly need to use it to keep their pencils sharp and ready to use.

So a teacher will need to supply one that the whole class can use.

And to make matters quicker and easier for everyone, an electric pencil sharpener is usually the best option.

So if you want to get a new teacher a gift to begin kitting out their first ever classroom, the X-Acto electric pencil sharpener is a great idea.

As this one is popular in classrooms throughout the US due to it's quiet motor that won't disrupt the lesson.

And it's durable, heavy duty, has 6 pencil holes for a variety of pencils, and a large container to catch the shavings in.

2. A Laminator To Create Durable Learning Materials

Another invaluable item for any new teacher to have is a good quality laminator.

As this allows them to create learning materials for their students that are durable and resistant against spills, tears, or damage.

Which means they can be reused year after year, and class after class.

So they can make things such as laminated flashcards to help with revision, worksheets to go with a particular lesson, or bathroom and hall passes for students to carry.

And while many schools have a laminator machine that staff can use, it's a big help for a teacher to have their own one.

As the communal laminator is usually older than most of the students, and with many teachers in the school sharing it, it's often occupied.

So getting them an effective laminator for their own use, such as the Fellowes Saturn3i 125, is a fantastic gift idea for any new teacher.

And this one is especially good, as it heats up quickly and has a large 12.5 inch entry width, which means they can make a variety of different sized teaching materials.

3. A 3-Hole Punch

Students are not always the most organised bunch of people to say the least.

So a new teacher needs to make sure the sheets and papers they give them are hole-punched, so they can clip them into their folders and not lose them.

As otherwise these will have a tendency to go missing, and you'll be constantly making photocopies and redistributing them.

So a good 3-hole punch is a necessity for teachers, and makes a useful gift for a new one.

And you won't go wrong by getting them the Swingline 3-hole punch.

As this one is heavy duty and can punch through 45 sheets at once, meaning they can do a whole classes paper in one punch, which saves them a load of time.

And this hole punch requires 50% less effort than others on the market, so they can save some energy too!

4. A Paper Cutter And Trimmer

When you're creating your own teaching materials such as flashcards and worksheets, it can be really time consuming.

And this is amplified when you have to cut them down to size individually with a pair of scissors.

So, a really handy appliance for a teacher to have in their classroom is a paper cutter.

As this allows them to make perfectly edged cuts quickly and easily, saving a lot of time and effort.

And they're also great for creating materials for the students to use when doing arts and crafts projects.

So, why not treat a new teacher to the Fiskars 12-inch paper trimmer.

As this one has a clear cutting vision for accuracy, and a blade that gives them straight and steady cuts every time.

5. A Heavy Duty Stapler

Another essential item for a teacher's desk is a heavy duty stapler.

As this is something that'll get plenty of use every day.

Because when they're giving out worksheets with multiple pages, they'll want to staple them together so they don't get lost or mixed up.

So if you want a practical (albeit slightly uninspiring!) stocking stuffer idea for a new teacher, then you could get them the Swingline Optima 40 stapler.

As this one is strong enough to staple through up to 40 sheets of paper at a time, and it has a soft and ergonomic grip that requires less effort than most traditional staplers.

6. Multi-Coloured Pens For Marking

Having a set of multi-coloured pens for grading their students work is a necessity for a new teacher.

Because gone are the days of just marking work with a red pen, as this has a bit of a negative stigma to it in some classrooms.

So they'll want a variety of colours to use instead, as this allows them to use different colours for different things when grading (general advice, good points, bad points, praise, things to improve on, etc).

And as they spend hours going over their students assignments, they'll want pens that are comfortable and enjoyable to use too.

So the overwhelmingly popular choice among teachers for this task are the Paper Mate Flair felt tip pens.

As not only do they come in a range of vibrant colours, the felt tips also feel really smooth and nice to write with too.

So marking will become less of a chore when using these pens, which makes them a nice little gift to buy for a new teacher.

7. A Lesson Planner To Keep Them Organised

Good lesson planning is the hallmark of a great teacher, and is something that a new teacher will need to learn to master over the coming years.

Because planning out their class in advance is so important for a number of reasons.

As it helps to bring structure to the class and allows them to manage their time during the lesson, so they can cover every important topic.

And being well prepared will give them confidence and allow them to answer any questions that the students come up with.

So a lesson planner is a great gift idea for a new teacher, and the Erin Condren planners are a popular choice.

As this one has a fantastic, colourful design that they'll absolutely love.

And with a variety of graphs, stickers, calendars, and checklists, it allows them to plan out their lessons weekly or monthly over the course of the whole year.

8. A Gift Certificate For Teaching Supplies

The sad fact of life for a new teacher is that they will be responsible for buying many of their own supplies to teach with.

And when you are starting from scratch, this can mean a fairly hefty outlay before you've even started getting paid.

As you'll need things like stationary, file organisers, desk accessories, and things to encourage the kids to learn, such as posters, whiteboards, and books.

So, making a contribution towards these things will be a big help to any new teacher, and a good way to do this is with a gift certificate for ReallyGoodStuff.com.

As this site is brilliant for stocking nearly everything a teacher will need in their job all in one place.

So they'll be able to kit out their new classroom and get themselves ready for their new life educating the young ones.

9. A Nameplate For Their Desk

Having a nameplate to sit on your desk can be a comforting and useful thing for a new teacher.

As it makes the classroom feel more like their own, shows a bit of authority, and helps their new class learn their name!

So, getting them a personalised nameplate as a gift can help a new teacher to feel the part while they're still trying to find their feet.

And there are a ton of designs and options to choose from on Etsy, such as the example above for a PE teacher.

So you should be able to find one that matches their subject and personality well.

10. A Comfortable Pair Of Shoes

As a teacher you are going to be standing up in front of your class for the majority of each lesson.

And as the floors in classrooms tends to be hard and unforgiving, this can be bad news for your feet by the end of the day.

So one of the first thing new teachers will complain about when starting out is their sore feet at the end of the day.

Which means a pair of comfortable and supportive shoes is a brilliant gift idea for them.

And there are endless options here depending on their style, footwear preferences, and the dress code at their school.

So if the dress code is super relaxed, then they may get away with wearing their favourite pair Vans, Converse, or running shoes.

However, if their school demands a bit more formality, then you'll need to get them something along those lines.

With popular choices among experienced teachers being the shoes in the Clarks range, a pair of Merrells, or Sketchers flats. 

And some teachers swear by wearing Dansko boots as a way to keep their feet happy and comfortable during the school day, while still looking good.

11. A Vacuum Insulated Coffee Mug

Teaching is a great job, but it can also be a tiring one.

As not only do you have to deal with your lessons and handling classes full of high energy kids.

There's also the lesson prep before school, and grading work, school admin duties, and PTA meetings to deal with after work too.

So while most outsiders assume teachers only have to work during school hours, the job is actually much more involved than that.

Which means a little energy boost during the day is much needed, and many teachers rely on regular cups of coffee to do that.

So a gift idea that ties into that, and provides a nice alternative to a regular teachers mug, is to get them a vacuum insulated coffee cup.

As this way their cup of coffee will stay hot throughout the entire lesson, so they'll always be able to get a caffeine hit when needed to remain energised and alert.

And the one I'd recommend is the Yeti Rambler.

As this looks great, is scratch resistant and durable against drops and knocks, and is the ideal size for their coffee.

And it'll keep their drink hot for up to 24 hours, so there's no chance of it going cold during a lesson.

12. An Insulated Water Bottle

It's also important to stay well hydrated during the day as a teacher.

Because not only does drinking plenty of water give them energy and keep them healthy, it also improves their focus, concentration, and mood, which will make them a far better teacher in the long run.

So getting a new teacher an insulated water bottle such as the Hydro Flask to take with them to work is a really great gift idea.

As this will keep their water cold for the whole day, and means they'll always have a cold drink on hand to ward off thirst.

And this is a gift they can also use on the commute, or when doing activities such as going to the gym or on long bike rides.

So it's a multi-purpose gift that they'll definitely find plenty of use for.

13. A Tote Bag To Carry All Their Stuff In

As you can probably tell from the gift ideas on this list so far, a teacher will have plenty of stuff to carry into school with them each day.

So they're going to need a bag with enough space to fit it all in and keep everything organised.

As they'll have their lunch, water bottle, marked assignments, gym kit, books, pens, and teaching materials among other things in there.

And it needs to be a bag that's sturdy enough to be able to withstand everyday use too.

So for this reason tote bags are a good choice for teachers, and the Boat & Tote bag from LL Bean is extremely popular.

As this one is super strong so won't break on them.

And the medium size with long handles is the ideal choice for a teacher, giving them enough space for everything, but without being too bulky and heavy.

14. 'The First Days Of School' Book

No matter how much of a star you were during teacher training, actually becoming a full time teacher is still a daunting prospect.

As you are stepping out of your comfort zone and into a world that is all new, without the help of a supervisor watching over you.

So a gift idea that can really help a new teacher to hit the ground running is to get them a book that guides them through their early teaching days.

And one that many teachers rave about is 'The First Days Of School' by Harry & Rosemary Wong.

As this is packed full of information on how to negotiate the common hurdles that any new teacher will face.

And it gives great advice on how to structure their classroom and lessons so that the students become really effective learners.

So this is a gift that can take away some of their pre-school anxiety and nervousness, and give them the self-confidence and belief to become great teachers instead.

15. 'My Quotable Students' Teachers Journal

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing your students mature and develop over the years.

Especially when you can see your work with them really getting through and helping them on their journey. 

So, you'll want to remember and cherish the good memories you have of your students during your teaching career, and a good way of doing this is by journaling.

As by writing stuff down in a journal, a teacher can always go back and relive the good moments to give them a lift when the grind of teaching may be getting them down.

So a gift of a journal for teachers to do this in is a lovely idea, and one that I like is 'My Quotable Students'.

As this journal is designed to capture both the funny and wise things that the kids say, with 3 spaces on each page to write down the quotes, context, and when it was said.

And anyone who spends their day around kids will know they come out with some very unusual, interesting, and unique things!

So this makes for a nice keepsake for a teacher to capture their early years in the classroom.

16. Hand Sanitiser & A Box Of Tissues

One of the down sides of being a teacher is becoming exposed to every bug and virus that is going around.

Because in a class full of kids, there are always likely to be one or two that are suffering from something or the other.

So to help keep themselves and their kids healthy and to stop germs and illnesses from spreading, it's a good idea to have some hand sanitiser and boxes of tissues in the classroom.

As keeping their hands clean will really help them to avoid the lurgee.

And they'll go through so many tissues dealing with snotty noses, nosebleeds, spillages and the like, that tissues will always be like gold dust.

So while this is a super practical gift idea, a supply of hand sanitiser and tissues will always come in handy for a new teacher in their classroom.

17. 'Before School, After School' Mug & Wine Glass Set

Working with kids all day can be great, as they are full of life, vitality, energy, and positivity, which can be contagious.

However, for the very same reasons it can also be tiring and stressful.

So for the next gift idea, how about giving a new teacher a giggle by getting them the 'Before School, After School' mug and wine glass set.

As this sums up the life of many teachers perfectly.

With the need for a vat of coffee in the morning to give them the energy to keep up with the kids all day, and a large glass of wine to help them to relax and get over the day's trials and tribulations in the evening!

18. A Gift Card For Spa Treatments

Another way to help a teacher to relax and take care of themselves outside of school is by treating them to some spa treatments.

As being on their feet in front of their class all day, every day can really take it's toll.

Not to mention the school politics, hours spent at home after work and on weekends marking papers, and dealing with unruly pupils.

Which can all leave them feeling stressed, frazzled, and unable to bring their A-game to the classroom.

So being able to take some time out to pamper themselves, get a massage, and feel relaxed and refreshed again, is a great habit for a new teacher to get into, and will help them to handle the stresses of the job.

And while they might not need it right now, they certainly will within a few weeks of term starting!

Rounding Up

Teaching is a super rewarding profession, but it can also be challenging too.

Which means being a newly qualified teacher is an exciting but also nerve-wracking time, as you don't yet know what you're in for.

So, why not get them a little gift to ease their anxieties and help them get started out.

As this will take some of the stress out of their early weeks in the job, and help them to find their feet more quickly.

And hopefully you've found something suitable among the graduation gift ideas for new teachers here, that your friend or loved one will enjoy having in their new classroom.