20 Good Retirement Gifts for Teachers, Professors, & Educators

Teachers deserve the world, they help us grow, learn, and inspire us to strive. If your favorite teacher or professor is retiring soon and you want to show them they’ll be missed, you’ve come to the right place.

We have carefully selected the best teacher retirement gifts so you can surprise your teacher and thank them for what they taught you. They will be touched you thought of them on this special day and will have a nice keepsake to remember you by.

We have found the best gifts for a retiring teacher for all budgets, from useful gifts to funny ones, that can be other gifted by you or by the whole class.

Keep on reading to find some inspiration and gift ideas for the retiring teacher, professor, or educator in your life. These teacher retirement gift ideas can be from students, their class, colleagues, friends, or family.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on any links and make a purchase, we’ll get a small commission, at no cost to you.

Most popular teacher retirement gift ideas from this list:

Teacher Retirement Gifts Ideas:

1 – Audible Membership

With all this extra free time, they’re going to be able to catch up on their reading, they’ll also need to find new ways to pass time.

Audible is the biggest audiobook platform out there, with millions of books available from a wide variety of genres. You can gift them a 3, 6, or 12-month plan that will give them access to thousands of books each month.

Audiobooks are the perfect way to “read” while doing something else, it’s great for long-distance trips, when going for a walk or at the gym, while you are home cooking…

Gift an Audible Membership here>>

2 – Inspirational Notebook for Teachers

When looking for gifts for a retiring teacher, sticking to basics can be a good idea. This cute notebook is the perfect budget-friendly teacher retirement gift idea.

Inspirational Notebook for Teachers
It features an inspirational quote about being a teacher and over 100 writing pages. It will be useful and a nice way to thank your teacher and wish them goodbye.

3 – Teacher Retirement Mug

Teacher Retirement Mug
A coffee mug always makes a good gift and this one is designed specifically for retiring teachers. The text is printed on both sides and the mug, made of ceramic, is microwave and dishwasher safe.

4 – Because I Had a Teacher Illustrated Book

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Because I Had a Teacher Illustrated Book
  • Hardcover Book
  • Yamada, Kobi (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 40 Pages - 03/01/2017 (Publication Date) - Compendium (Publisher)

There’s no better way to show your appreciation for your teacher than with this heartwarming book specially designed for teachers. Featuring beautiful illustrations, this book is about the positive impact a teacher has on their students.

Written by Kobi Yamada, the book is a New York Times bestseller and will make a perfect gift idea for a retiring teacher if you are looking for something with a sentimental touch.

5 – Retirement Coloring Book

Retirement is the perfect time to pick a new hobby or two. Coloring books for adults are all the rage at the moment, as it helps to keep you busy, to clear your mind, reduce stress, and improve creativity.

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Retirement Coloring Book
This Retirement Coloring Book features over 365 fun coloring pages and funny quotes about retirement and living your best life.

6 – Ceramic Gold Apple

Reward your favorite teacher with the Golden Apple Award and show them how much you appreciate them.

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Ceramic Gold Apple
This Ceramic Gold Apple makes a great teacher gift idea, it's a cute decorative item and is full of meaning. You're sure your teacher won't forget your class with this gift.

7 – Best Teacher Ever Tumbler

Customized tumbler cups always make great gifts. They can be used every day, make bringing your favorite drink everywhere easier, and are a nice way to commemorate an event.

Best Teacher Ever Tumbler
The SassyCups Best Teacher Ever Tumbler Cup is designed to gift to teachers, it's made of stainless steel, is leak-proof, and vacuum isolated. The color is vibrant and the design is cute yet practical.

8 – Fill-in-the-Blank Journal

The Knock Knock Fill-in-the-Blank Books make great gifts. The teacher edition is full of meaning, you can customize it to show your teacher you care and give them a nice reminder of their days as a teacher.

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Knock Knock Why You're The Best Teacher Ever Fill-in-the-Blank Journal
The book has more than 100 pages, the whole class can participate and help fill in the blanks.

It’s a perfect pick if you are looking for a sentimental gift.

9 – Retired Teacher Shirt

If you are looking for a funny novelty gift for your teacher’s retirement to say goodbye and show your appreciation, this Retired Teacher Shirt might be the perfect gift you’re looking for!

Retired Teacher Shirt
It comes in five colors and two fits (men and women).

10 – Teacher Appreciation Keychain

Keychains are classic teacher gifts that are useful and will remind your teacher of their students every time they use their keys.

Teacher Appreciation Keychain
The Teacher Appreciation Keychain is designed specifically for teachers and makes a perfect small retirement gift. Simple yet thoughtful, it features a tree and is engraved with the quote 'Teachers plant seeds that grow forever'.

11 – Personalized Teacher Retirement Plaque

Nothing is more memorable than an engraved plaque dedicated to your favorite teacher. Celebrate their years spent as a teacher and their retirement with this Personalized Teacher Retirement Plaque.

Personalized Teacher Retirement Plaque
The plaque is made of oak wood and measures 7x9''. You can customize it with your teacher's name and the year of their retirement.

12 – Westman Works – Basil Plant Pot

Retirement is the best time to pick up a new hobby, your teacher started helping minds grow, maybe they’ll enjoy growing plants from now on.

This Basil Plant Pot is a nice way to show your teacher you care and the impact they had on your life.

Basil Plant Pot
The kit includes a wooden box engraved with 'Thank you for helping me grow', soil, basil seed, and a peat pellet.

13 – Post-it Pop-up Notes Dispenser

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Post-it Pop-up Notes Dispenser
A cute and funny little retirement gift for your teacher, the Post-it Pop-up Notes Dispenser takes the form of an apple, an iconic teacher gift. If you are looking for a gift to bring a smile to your teacher's face or even to make them laugh, this is the perfect teacher retirement gift for you.

14 – Engraved Pen with Flashlight and Stylus Tip

Designed for teachers, the Engraved Pen with Flashlight and Stylus Tip will make a thoughtful retirement gift for your teacher.

Engraved Pen with Flashlight and Stylus Tip
The pen is engraved with an inspirational quote by Socrates 'Education is the Kindling of a Flame' and features a flashlight and a stylus tip. The ink can be refilled and the battery can be changed so it will last.

The pen comes in a nice box so it’s ready to gift.

15 – Morse Code Teacher Bracelet

If your teacher is a bit of a geek, they will love this morse code bracelet. Cute and meaningful, this handmade bracelet is a thoughtful way to wish your teacher a happy retirement.

Morse Code Teacher Bracelet
The beads are made of sterling silver and mean 'teacher' in morse code. It's a nice way to show appreciation to your teacher and to mark a special day.

It comes with a meaningful message and a gift box.

16 – Top Shelf Retirement Wish Jar

The Top Shelf Retirement Wish Jar makes a unique teacher retirement gift, especially if the whole class is pitching in.

Everyone can write something about how much they appreciate your teacher so he/she can have a heartwarming memory from your class.

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Top Shelf Retirement Wish Jar
The jar comes with 100 wish tickets, a twine-hung plaque, a pen, and a special retirement lid.

17 – Canvas Bag

A simple yet cute gift for your teacher, this Canvas Bag is a classic. Tote bags are always super useful and can be used on many occasions. This one features a saying “Retired… and living the good life” as well as a colorful drawing.

Canvas Bag
The bag is sturdy with reinforced handles. It's made of a neutral color so it can blend well with any style.

A perfect present for a retired teacher.

18 – Bangle Bracelet

A meaningful retirement gift for your favorite teacher, this Bangle Bracelet is beautiful and any woman who wears jewelry will love it.

No products found.

19 – 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

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50 States, 5,000 Ideas
  • National Geographic (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 02/07/2017 (Publication Date) - National Geographic (Publisher)

Retirement is the best time to start traveling and scratch off destinations from your bucket list. We often want to go across the world and forget all the beautiful places the US has to offer.

Help the retired teacher in your life who loves to travel find inspiration and discover great destinations within the US, with the 50 States, 5,000 Ideas Travel Guide by the National Geographic. From popular places to off-the-beaten-path hidden gems, this guide includes everything one needs to fill up their bucket list.

20 – US Art Supply – 21-Piece Acrylic Painting Set

Retirement is a great time to pick up a new hobby and develop new skills to help spend all this extra free time. If your teacher is into art, they might love this Acrylic Painting Set from US Art Supply.

21-Piece Acrylic Painting Set
It includes all the basics one's needs to start acrylic painting: a table easel, a white canvas, 12 acrylic paint tubes, 6 brushes, and a mixing palette.

A retired teacher who’s into art will just love this present.

Other gift ideas for a retiree teacher:

A gift card is also a great gift idea for teachers, try to find out what their favorite coffee shop or store is and get them a gift card from there. The whole class can pitch in.

You can also throw them a retirement party, bring some cakes, sodas, and balloons on their last day of school to celebrate this special occasion, and show them your appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

Discover more gift guides for teachers:

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