Outreach programs are a huge part of what our church is all about. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus told us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” He wants us to get out there and make a difference in the world. And sure, that can mean going on mission trips out of the country, but guess what? There are so many excellent opportunities right here in our own communities. One group that could use our support is teachers. They’re superheroes shaping the next generation every single day. They work crazy, long hours for way less money than they deserve, all because they care about our kids. So, here are 6 teacher outreach projects that your church can do this year:

1. Appreciation Lunches

Throughout the year, host teacher appreciation lunches. Cater some great food and serve the teachers in your local schools. Don’t just have the food delivered; go into the teacher’s lounge or lunchroom and spend time with them. Talk with them and establish relationships. This is a great way to create continued outreach opportunities with those teachers.

I recently heard of a church that hosted lunches like these. There was a teacher there; we’ll call her Sue. Sue was struggling with her class. A young boy needed extra attention and help, and she didn’t feel she could provide it without neglecting the rest of the class. At a church-sponsored appreciation lunch, she met Jessica. Jessica was previously a teacher in the same county. When Jessica met Sue and heard her story, she knew she had to help beyond the lunch. Jessica started volunteering in Sue’s class to give her the support she desperately needed. As you hear their stories, you’ll be able to uncover other ways to serve them and support them. Rather than just showing up one time, show up for a relationship. Establish connection opportunities every chance you can. 

2. Stock the Teacher’s Lounge

Throughout the school year, take time to restock the teacher’s lounge with snacks and drinks. You could also write encouraging notes for the teachers. Teaching is a wonderful profession, but it’s also full of challenges. I have talked with teachers over the years, and the random, mid-year encouragement really goes a long way! When you stock the teacher’s lounge, think of snacks that will fuel them well. We want our teachers well cared for so they will have the energy to take great care of our kids! For your church, this is especially important. The teachers have many students, but each of those students also represents a family in your community. As you care for teachers, they will care for students, which then serves the families! 

3. Reset the Classroom/Refresh the School

At the beginning and end of the school year, teachers need a lot of help with their classrooms. Some need paint, while others need help moving desks and cleaning spaces. Whatever they may need, your church can help! As you consider teacher outreach projects your church can do, this is a great option to get many hands involved. Getting their classroom set at the beginning of the year is a massive undertaking for some teachers. With your help, they can feel the support from your church as they prepare for a fresh year. In the same way, cleaning their room at the end of a school year is a lot of work. You can help carry that load!

In addition to classroom setup, talk with the principal to find out if there are projects your church can help with within the school. School budgets can be minimal, and schools often need to catch up on the updates list for their school district. That’s where you come in. Your church can work on projects for the school that would otherwise take several months or years of waiting. 

4. School Supply Drive

While teaching is a profession, it is also a significant expense. Many teachers purchase school supplies for their classes from their own personal budgets. They are not given a budget from the school system for those items and often pay out of pocket. Encourage your church to donate supplies for the teachers’ classrooms. You can buy from an Amazon wish list for the teacher(s) to ensure you’re getting things they can use. 

Let me tell you about Sally if you need clarification on how this may make a difference. Sally was a student who benefitted from a similar school supply drive. Her family was low-income, and she only sometimes had all the supplies she needed. A church stepped in and provided school supplies for Sally’s class. It changed her life. She started attending the church with her family because of the church’s generosity, and now she is still serving Jesus 15+ years later. You may never see it now, but there is significance in supporting our teachers with school supplies.

5. Teacher Appreciation Week

If you want to show some love to the teachers in your local schools, host a Teacher Appreciation Week. Many people are already doing various teacher outreach projects at this time, so you could either do this during the traditional appreciation week or choose a separate week. Throughout that time, you can bring in lunches, provide encouragement, or help tackle projects for the teachers. Whatever you can do to show appreciation, do it! Please don’t do something small, but go big and shower them with gratitude. Not only will the teachers appreciate this, but it’s something you can do for the staff and administration working so hard outside of the classroom.

6. Adopt a Teacher

If your church wants to do a teacher outreach project that will impact a local school profoundly, you can participate in a Host and Adopt a Teacher program. With this program, your church members can choose a teacher to partner with for the entire school year. Throughout the year, have congregants pray for that teacher. At different times in the year, send them an encouraging email or note. You can even take it a step further and help support them with school supplies, random appreciation gifts throughout the year, or help with projects for their classroom. Adopting a teacher means you are committed to that teacher for the school year as you offer support, encouragement, and prayer. While single, one-off events make an impact, this type of partnership takes things to a far deeper level. This program may not be for every church, but if possible, certainly consider it!

The teachers in our community have an incredibly significant role in our kids’ lives. They are shaping the next generation, so we must do what we can to support them! As the church, we can partner with teachers in many ways, and all are valuable. As you consider the teacher outreach projects your church can do, we hope this list is a helpful start for you. Your community schools may have other unique needs not listed here, but this is a great place to start!