ShouldI buy DD's dancing teacher an end of the year gift?

[SnowWhite607]

Do you get end of the year gifts for dancing teachers? I mean, I have paid tuition all year. If so, what would be appropriate?? Classroom teacher I can handle....but what about the dancing teacher??

 

[Rora]

Ehh.. I think I'd pass. Tuition seems like enough right? If other parents start a "chip in for a gift" thing, then I guess it would be okay to do that if you have the funds.

Good luck!

 

[daisyduck123]

DD took dance lessons weekly from the time she was 3yo-10yo.

We always got the teacher a gift card at the end of the year. I was always the mom who organized it. I would show up at the end of class one night & distribute a flyer for each girl to take home. The note explained that if parents wanted to participate, that I would be at the next several classes to collect any money they wanted to donate. 20 girls X $5.00 each = a nice gift card for the teacher.

BTW, I'm a 1st grade teacher.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

AFter what I pay them each year - my answer is no. They pass the hat at dress rehearsal to help cover flowers given to the teachers at the recitals, and I'll slip a few bucks in there. but that's it.

 

[SnowWhite607]

I always do for her public school teacher cause I used to be one and know that they dont make what they are worth most of the time. and because I am not paying them monthly.....But I have been paying the dance studio $50 a month since August plus recital fees, etc all totalled over $1000 this year. I dont know how much the teacher gets but it just kind of seems like overkill to me.

 

[ajk912]

Nope, I think that all the gifting to everyone is out of control. Especially for someone who is paid to do the job.

 

[minkydog]

No, I don't gift DDs dance teacher. Nor do I gift her drama teacher, her Latin teacher, her Geometry teacher or any other teacher once the kids leave elementary school.

Well, that's not entirely true. I do give my son's special ed teachers & assistants something for Christmas and at the end of the year. They shed blood, sweat, and tears to help my very mentally handicapped 14yo son "be all he can be." This group has my undying devotion. I wish I could pay them what they're worth.

 

[Pigeon]

No, we pay them for their services. Gifts are not necessary.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

Thats a good question.... This is my DDs first year dancing, and it is rather expencive. Something like $55/month for lessons - $60 for the recital outfit -then there are these pictures that are being taken next week..... Oy! Plus my DDs teacher owns the place, so I'm going to say no for now.

 

[sneadae]

I am a dance teacher/dance school owner. Personally, as a dance teacher, I don't think a gift is necessary. However, if you want to put a smile on their face, send them a thank you card and have your child color a picture for them. These are the best "gifts" I receive.

Good luck to all you dancers/dance moms during recital! Ours is this weekend!

 

[JVL1018]

I do, I also buy her a Christmas gift. I usually get her a $25 gift card to a restaurant for each, which is what I do for my kids' school teachers. My daughter makes her a card at the end of the year thanking her, too.
I adore my daughter's dance teacher, she is so sweet and fun and great with the girls.

 

[blissventure]

DD has a fine arts degree, and taught ballet while in grad school. It was one several part time jobs she had to pay the bills. She didn't make much, hourly, but she loved to teach.
There always were a few parents who really appreciated that she was not only teaching dance, but things about life--particularly to the 9-14 year olds. It's surprising (and sad) how some early body image stuff starts. DD always made it a point to include healthy image, healthy eating, healthy life as a part of the dance experience.
When (at the end of the year) she'd get an appreciative note from a parent, it really made her day. Sometimes they'd include a gift card, which was very thoughtful. But, it wasn't expected, or necessary. Sometimes the student would write a note. Those meant a lot to her, too.
Whatever someone does, it's nice if it comes from the heart. (And that includes a nice, verbal thanks!)

"Gifting", doesn't sound heartfelt at all. I'm not fond of that term.

 

[KSchwagg86]

Yea I think you should get something, even if it's just flowers

 

[Nancy]

As a dance mom for many many years we did not buy gifts for their teachers.

When they (my girls) were small and just starting out they would do a picture and a thank you note. As they got older they would verbally say thanks and hugs all the time. I used to send them notes though thanking them for time and devotion to my children, for instilling in them a love for dance and for teaching them so much such as how to lose with grace and also that you don't have to always be perfect but you need to show how much you love what you do. My girls did competitive dance. After recital I would also send a note off to the studio owner thanking him for his dedicated staff and for another great year of dance.

When they stopped dancing it was so hard for us...we were friends with the teachers (one I still have contact with) and I wrote notes letting them just how much I would miss them all.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Last year I did personalized gift chocolate bars. This year I think I am going to do a pair of movie tickets from Costco. Its not like her teacher is the owner (although I am sure some have the owner as their teacher).

 

[NHdisneylover]

DS lives for his dance classes. He generally makes a little homemade card for each teacher. I might add a note if the teacher went out of his/her way to work or connect with DS--just a note of thanks. Most years we will stop at the florist and get a flowers (sometimes roses but sometimes just carnations) and he will deliver the notes with one single stem flower. It is not about spending a lot of money, and I do not think it is expected at all. We just like them to know what they do really lights up his life.

 

[DISUNC]

A gift certificate for Dr. Scholls foot products.