News & Articles
July 29, 2026: Monsters in the Morning Teachers Appreciation Party
Our President, Jane Thompson, joined the Monsters in the Morning show on Real Radio 104.1! Listen to hear her share how A Gift for Teaching is [...]
2026 Supply Impact Report
More Than Half of Students Start School Without School Supplies. As A Gift for Teaching prepares for the 2026-2027 school year, Central Florida families are [...]
2025-2026 Program Impact Report
It starts with a pencil. It ends with possibility. The smallest supplies can make the biggest difference! With generous community support, A Gift for Teaching welcomed more than [...]
The Magic Within a Box of Crayons
Creativity often starts with something as simple as a box. Picture yourself lifting the flap of a colorful container of crayons, releasing the nostalgic wax scent that [...]
ArtWorks 2025-2026 Impact Report
Strong arts programming doesn’t happen by chance. It happens through intentional investment in both teachers and students. The ArtWorks program continues to spark creativity and support both teachers [...]
The Great Big Backpack Build 2026
The Great Big Backpack Build returned bigger and better than ever to the Orange County Convention Center to kickoff A Gift for Teaching’s 2026 Ready for [...]
30,000 Backpacks and Supplies Kick Off “Ready for Back-to-School” Summer Campaign 2026
30,000 Supply-Filled Backpacks Launch A Gift for Teaching’s “Ready for Back-to-School” Campaign The Annual Great Big Backpack Build Mobilizes Central Florida to Support Students in High-Need Schools [Orange County, [...]
Pencil Boy Programs 2025-2026 Final Report
Total Teacher Shopping Visits Goal: 4,680 - Actual: 4,811 102% Total Value of Distribution Goal: $1,527,000 - Actual: $1,763,000 115% [...]
$200 Million Milestone in Supporting Local Classrooms
A Gift for Teaching Surpasses $200 Million Mark Affirms Community Support for Teachers and Students Amid Change As Central Florida schools prepare for transitions at the end [...]
Teacher Appreciation Week 2026
At A Gift for Teaching, we believe teachers are everyday superheroes, but during Teacher Appreciation Week, we make sure they felt that way! From bold décor [...]
Meet Nisha, Pinewood Elementary School Teacher
Nisha’s journey as an educator is rooted in one powerful belief: every child is capable of greatness - sometimes they just need someone to help them see it. For [...]
Meet Jessica, Wekiva High School Teacher
For Jessica, being a teacher is about preparation, dignity, and making sure no student falls through the cracks. Since beginning her teaching career in 2017, what she values most about teaching is doing “whatever it [...]
From Packing Foam to Center Stage: Legacy Middle School
When you think of classroom supplies, items like pencils, paper, and textbooks might come to mind. But in one Orange County class, something as simple as discarded packing [...]
Volunteer Spotlights 2026
Behind every classroom A Gift for Teaching supports is a volunteer who showed up, gave their time, and made a difference. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week this [...]
World Art Day 2026
Art sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and brings learning to life. That’s why A Gift for Teaching proudly celebrated World Art Day this year with a week dedicated to hands‑on creativity at the Free Teacher Supply [...]
Celebrating 407 Day with Community, Connection, and Care
Every year, 407 Day is a moment to celebrate what makes Central Florida special: its people, its heart, and its commitment to giving back. This year, A Gift [...]
National Crayon Day 2026
Celebrating National Crayon Day at A Gift for Teaching is always a colorful affair! In honor of this special day, teachers visiting our Free Teacher Supply Store [...]
When Seeds of Learning Take Root: Wekiva High
Water splashes in the tanks as students gather around, taking in the process of how koi fish create vegetables. Learning doesn't just happen at a desk [...]
From Book Pages to Bigger Possibilities
A book can be so many things. It can be a rocket, carrying a student beyond the present into brighter possibilities, or a bridge helping them rise [...]
New Executive Leadership Board of 2026
(Left to right: Jan Hanshaft, Kevin Dougherty, Rick Chattin, Valerie Read, Ed Bustos, Justin Williams) A Gift for Teaching is proud to introduce the [...]
5 Reasons to Include a Kits for Kids Event at Your Annual Conference
Annual conferences are the perfect opportunity to bring people together, inspire collaboration, and leave a lasting impression. But what if your conference could do more than just educate [...]
When STEM Learning Takes Flight: Pinewood Elementary
One day, in Mrs. Phillip-Malahoo’s after-school STEM club at Pinewood Elementary, learning took off. Literally. With stacks of paper, rulers, and tape from A Gift for [...]
Pencil Boy Programs 2025 Update
Encompassing both Pencil Boy Express - The Mobile Free Store and Pencil Boy Curbside services, Pencil Boy Programs extend the reach of our Free Teacher Supply Store - [...]
ArtWorks 2025 Program Update
A message and mid-year report from our Program Manager, Amanda: Thanks to your support, our art program is putting more paintbrushes, canvases, and creative tools directly [...]
Grant a Wish 2025
A Gift for Teaching’s 15th Annual “Grant a Wish” Event Honors Local Students Since 2010, A Gift for Teaching has held a holiday celebration in honor of three exceptional students nominated by [...]
