OT: teacher end of year gift?

[milkabum]

It's alright, but in grade 6 we don't give end of the years gifts. We give inexpensive things though and things made by ourselves like a bracelet, picture frame, card, or a pin/broche.

 

[ncbyrne]

My DD has been a Kindergarten teacher for 20 years. We have this discussion often! Over the years she has received so many wonderful gifts, and every year, the gifts seem to get more elaborate. About 5 years ago, the trend switched to a bigger single gift, with all the kids contributing. She likes this better than the usual mugs or pen/pencil sets, BUT...one year she got one of the spa certificates. Like another DIS teacher who posted, she doesn't want to go to a spa and wound up giving it to someone else. What she DID like was last year. She got a $100 American Express gift check! She said it was the ideal gift and she was able to get whatever she wanted.

 

[curlyjbs]

Our elementary school has a $50 cap on teacher's gifts($$ collected from the class). Why? Well, some teachers are not as popular or their students are not as afluent. This way no teacher feels slighted and with classes of 20-25 a $2 donation is reasonable for most families. The donation is strictly voluntary - some families chose to give their own seperate gift.

I have had teachers ask us NOT to collect for them. They say that if parents insist on giving them a gift that they purchase a book for the classroom library.

IMHO, I think a $200+ gift is EXTREME!
~Connie

 

[clh2]

To the OP: Maybe you could suggest a VISA gift card? There is a $4.95 service fee for those - (which would be a total fee of $15 for the 3 teachers.) Now, if these types of collections were occuring every month, I might take exception - but I would certainly try to contribute something, especially since teacher's appreciation week is probably coming up. If you are not able to financially contribute money (not everyone can) maybe you could make something fun for the staff - brownies, cupcakes, muffins or something, or have your DD make a "you are really appreciated" card.

Then...they can use them at stores that take VISA, i.e. the spa, the mall, possibly their own hairdresser, the school supply store, regift it for a wedding gift or whatever.

I personally don't have a problem with the request. I prefer when someone else does the work. I also would not have a problem if someone didn't contribute for any reason. I would also have the non-contributing child sign the card - if there is one - so the teachers do not have any reason to think someone did not contribute.

(FWIT - at work when collections were recently taken up for a floral arrangement for a coworker's father's passing, 1 person truly didn't have the funds to contribute anything. While I informed her a collection was occurring, I did ask her to sign the card. There was absolutely no reason for the coworker to know that not everyone contributed.)

 

[torinsmom]

Well, I've never gotten a $200 gift. We did once get a $100 gc each, which totaled $200. That was with 25 kids though so it averaged $4 per teacher per child. I think thats actually good! Most people spend $4 a person at a fast food restaurant for one meal....Of course, not everyone contributed, but some gave $10 each, etc. I am sure.

IMO, if you cannot afford to contribute or don't want to, just buy a card at the dollar tree, and have your child write or color for the teacher inside. Or give a small plant in a pot your child painted. And if the teacher is not a good one, skip it all together. Of course, if they paid us better, maybe more great people would become great teachers......

OP--Your post didn't make me feel unappreciated. It was another post that did that. Sometimes I think we need to make parents spend one day teaching the class, and they would realize that it is not an easy job. When I had surgery a few years ago, some of my parents signed up to work 1/2 day each for me. I remember one dad saying he had planned to go to work for the second half, but had to call in, because he was so spent, LOL.

My son is in 6th grade and I still give the teachers a gift. I sure couldn't work with that age group! Last year, I collected pictures all year and made a photo book with captions from the field trips and activities throughout the year. Both teachers are scrapbookers, so they really loved it.

Remember that TEACHERS MAKE ALL OTHER CAREERS POSSIBLE!

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

I am a 1st grade teacher in a Catholic school (grossly underpaid....but I love my job!!) I would LOVE to receive an end of the year gift certificate to a teacher store or to the mall. I spend so much money on supplies over the summer that any contribution would be great. However, I work with some teachers who would absolutely HATE this...so it all depends on the teacher. Personally, a g.c. to a spa would probably not get used...but that's me. I give my son's teacher and assistant each $50.00 to a local mall at the end of the year. I hate when I receive an amount higher than my assistant...it always makes me feel guilty.

I agree...My assistant does just as much as me. I consider us equal, and I hate that she makes less than me. Without her, I would have a much harder job!

 

[Nolcrest]

I'm sorry that my opening post brought on hurtful feelings.

Oh gosh no, my feelings aren't hurt by your post. Sorry if it sounded this way. I left a great job in banking to go back to school to be a low paid pre-school teacher and I love it. It was my choice to be in this profession.

I just don't want you to feel that you have to contribute if you're uncomfortable with it. It's probably okay with most of us teachers.

 

[Danemom]

Anybody wondering how many times the average spa certificate is re-gifted? Does anybody use them?

Kinntj, I was not offended by your post either. You were only asking if this was a common practice. Thank you though!

 

[daisyduck123]

Anybody wondering how many times the average spa certificate is re-gifted? Does anybody use them?

Our local one is an absolute gorgeous spa...it's just not my kind of thing....I have 2 certificates for the place in my cabinet right now...I can't even give them away...my mom doesn't want them either...I think I'm going to let DD11 use them this summer. She's mentioned she'd like to go...maybe her & a friend to get their nails done.

 

[Franne]

I am a 1st grade teacher and like the other posters said, a gift certificate to a teaching store would be wonderful! I spend so much of my own money on supplies and teaching items any help would be appreciated!

As for the $15, I wonder if collections are done for your dance teacher, sports coach, etc? They are with your child an hour or two a week and most parents wouldn't bat an eye at contributing $5 for a group gift. I wonder why a teacher is different?

 

[sk!mom]

I am a 1st grade teacher and like the other posters said, a gift certificate to a teaching store would be wonderful! I spend so much of my own money on supplies and teaching items any help would be appreciated!
QUOTE]

I love gift cards to Stabucks, Target, Bath and Body but hate gift cards to the teacher's store. It just doesn't feel like a gift to me. It would be like giving my hairdresser a gift card to the Beauty supply store or my DH giving his assistant a gift card to Office Depot. To me the bottom line is you need to know what gift would be appreciated and enjoyed. I like gifts that are a treat for the recipient and that is different for all of us.

 

[Franne]

I love gift cards to Stabucks, Target, Bath and Body but hate gift cards to the teacher's store. It just doesn't feel like a gift to me. It would be like giving my hairdresser a gift card to the Beauty supply store or my DH giving his assistant a gift card to Office Depot. To me the bottom line is you need to know what gift would be appreciated and enjoyed. I like gifts that are a treat for the recipient and that is different for all of us.

Exactly! It all depends on the teacher and what she likes. You can probably ask your children if she has any hobbies or likes, they may know. My class KNOWS I love Disney, you can't miss that when you walk in my room...lol
Franne

 

[holden]

I am a high school teacher with a 3yo DD. I will certainly give a gift to her teacher and assistant at the end of the year. Probably a class gift since the other moms are into that (though I'd do one myself if they didn't). To those of you with HS aged kids...I certainly never expected year end or holiday gifts (though I did get some). However, the most treasured gifts I got were the thank you notes or verbal thanks from my students. They are the best!

 

[kdtwiss]

Quite honestly - I WISH someone would take over at my children's schools and just take a donation - pool it together and get SOMETHING! That would be soooooo much easier than trying to find something cute or useful for not too much $$. In the end that $5 a child or teacher is way less expensive than trying to get something little for the teacher myself! I have 3 in school, my oldest is in special needs, so my teacher gifts get to be alot for me! A teacher can make such a difference in a child's life - good OR bad - I think a small gift of appreciation is not much to ask for! (and they don't)

 

[marcyinPA]

It's pretty much the norm around here to recognize teachers (preschool or otherwise) with an end of the year gift. I personally don't like contributing to a group gift. I usually opt out of that, and put together my own gift. The most successful has been a movie night bucket. I buy a $5 gift card to Blockbuster, microwave popcorn, several types of candy in the movie theatre size, and put it all in a popcorn bucket. This gift has been extremely well received, and the teachers always comment on how clever the idea is. They enjoy having a movie night with their family...
And my kids always loved presenting their teachers with their own gift bags!

 

[Teacher03]

Last year for Christmas my class gave me a $150 gift certificate to a spa. I tucked it in a drawer and thought I would never use it. In the summer, I thought "why not!" and I got my hair cut and highlighted, my nails done, etc. I really felt pampered, and it turned out to be one of the best gifts I ever received.

I would appreciate any type of gift certificate, but I agree, you should ask someone who is personally close to the teacher what he or she would like. I would never feel obligated (as a parents) to donate, and I would prefer to donate what I could afford and not be given a set amount. $15 isn't alot of money to some families, but to others, it might be.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I have worked in a preschool for 4 years and never expect a gift..but our parents are very generous and we usually get gifts for christmas and the end of the year..
I have never received a group gift, as im not the head teacher, but i konw one of the head teachers received a gift certificate to the mall and loved it...

 

[pamouselover]

As a homeroom parent I collect money for the parties through out the year.
I asked for $5 for the year, and maybe 16 out of 24 children gave me money towards the parties and crafts.
I recent collected a DONATION for our teacher who is getting married.
Hoping that if each child sent in two dollars we could get her a $50 gift card.
I figure I would pay for the card and put in the extra bit of money.
Well I have $38, and that is with a $20 donation from one parent who said let me know if you need more or any help.This is not a poor area either. People sometimes just think I am out to make money I guess, when I am just trying to do something nice for a great teacher. I recived a phone call last week from a parent in the class, saying that they felt it was not right to give her a gift until after the wedding or some crap. I plan on buying a cake and juice and have a surprize shower for her next week. All of this over a $2.00 donation. So donate what you can, every little bit will help whoever is trying to do something nice.
When I worked as a teacher Asst. at the high school level, I still got nice gifts from some parents. Which was always total unexpected.My favorite was the edible flower arrangments

 

[kinntj]

Thank you to everyone who responded! The consensus is that a gift is appreciated and whatever can be afforded. Actually, we can afford the $15, but I don't like the spa idea.

For an update: I declined being a part of the group gift (reason above). DH and I decided to have DD make her own appreciation cards and give something else, but not sure what. I have a little time to come up with something. I don't really want to buy trinkets, as I'm a practical person so I usually give practical gifts and hate clutter and junk. I'm sure teachers collect a lot of that stuff over the years.

I guess cash is always useful?

 

[pooksma]

I am a 7th grade teacher and I just wanted to chime in that one my favorite gifts was from another teacher (parent too) She prepared a gift bag with looseleaf, pens, pencils, pencil box, graph paper (I teach math) and geometry set, as well as a gift certificate for our local coffee stop. These were all things she knew I would need at some point during the year, or that some of my less fortunate students would. Great idea!

I never want my students(or parents) to feel they HAVE to contribute to a gift. My class hand made me a birthday card this year and a thank you card for a class trip we took.

Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition.
~Jacques Barzun