Would this be a good teacher gift?

[bigbabyblues]

OK, be honest. If there are any teachers here, I'd appreciate your input also.

My DS goes to a small private Christian school, he's in 1st grade. The teachers' salaries are listed on the paperwork we have (not individually or by name), and the average teacher there makes $18,000 a year, not including benefits or bonuses.

I absolutely love his teacher. She is just a wonderful teacher, and you can tell she loves the kids. She also takes a LOT of pictures of the kids. She takes pics of all their parties, events that parents don't go to, takes individual pics on "special" days, etc. When we went to the Open House a few weeks ago, she had the pictures displayed all over the room. Probably 300-400 so far this year for the class of 10 kids. A little birdie told me that the pictures are part of the Mother's Day gift they make, and they all go to the parents. As scrapbookers, I'm sure you know how awesome that will be for me.

To the point, DS told me she uses "those paper cameras", meaning disposable ones. Would it be tacky if I bought a few disposable cameras and put them in with her Christmas gift? That wouldn't be her only gift, I'll get her something personal too, but those things aren't cheap, and I appreciate the pictures, as I know all of the parents will. Is it ok?

Steph

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Yes. I think it is very okay. It shows that you have noticed the things she does in the class. You could probably also get some gift cards to places that develope the pictures.
And then something small that is just for her. Something without an apple or the word teacher on it.
Also include a note about how much you appreciate her as your son's teacher. I know that will mean the world to her.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thanks! I saw some really pretty angels that were hand carved, and I thought that would be nice.

I just wasn't sure about the cameras, whether it would be offensive. DS says she takes pictures almost every day of something.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I don't think offensive is at all what she think. Thoughtful, considerate, observant, those would come to mind first.

The hand carved angel sounds lovely. Be sure to put your son's name & date on the bottom, or if it is boxed, on a card that she can keep with it.

 

[aroyer]

I think it is a great idea! I am not a teacher so I can't give you that perspective, but I think it is very thoughtful.

AWM, love your turkey, so cute!

 

[patchchild]

Teacher chiming in here.

Yes!! A fantastic idea. You'd be amazed at how much we end up spending out of pocket for things like cameras or film or other things to make the classroom more personal. Having a parent recognize something that we do and enjoy, and then help us out with it is great.

 

[rlovew]

As a teacher I would love that, it shows that you notice what she takes the time to do for her students above teaching them what is expected.

Rebecca

 

[Mickster]

I totally agree too! If is something she uses, then it wouldn't be offensive. If she didn't use the disposable ones, then they wouldn't be used and therefore a waste. I'd say - go for it! I used to love getting gifts like that when I was a teacher...so long ago...

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I think its a great idea, too.

I noticed a sign on the way into Office Max yesterday that said, "The average teacher spends approximately $1,200 of their own money on school-related supplies each year." I know my roommate, a 6th grade science teacher, never has any problem coming up with enough receipts to max out the small deduction he's allowed to take for these expenses on his taxes.

I think your idea is great, but let me share the first thing that came into my mind... I wonder if she has a call list for the parents of other students in the class? If so, it would be cool to share the idea with other parents and see if you could raise interest in chipping in to get her an inexpensive digital camera.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I second the idea of trying to get everyone to chip in for a digital camera. I bought a decent one last year at Target for my son, it was under $200.00

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Our teachers do a wish tree in there rooms when they start running low on supplies and every year they ask for disposable cameras. I personally would go with the disposable cameras vs. a digital.

And gift cards to Walmart or where ever for developing would be great too.

 

[GBShorts]

I think its a great idea, too.

I noticed a sign on the way into Office Max yesterday that said, "The average teacher spends approximately $1,200 of their own money on school-related supplies each year." I know my roommate, a 6th grade science teacher, never has any problem coming up with enough receipts to max out the small deduction he's allowed to take for these expenses on his taxes.

I think your idea is great, but let me share the first thing that came into my mind... I wonder if she has a call list for the parents of other students in the class? If so, it would be cool to share the idea with other parents and see if you could raise interest in chipping in to get her an inexpensive digital camera.

Greater still might be those kodak cameras with the 4x6 printer and dock. They aren't that expensive, and all she'd have to pay for is paper. I know that personally, with all my digital photos I take, the number I actually print is miniscule. Having the printer right there to dock to and print might make it that much easier. I think Best Buy carries one.

I have to second the thought about nothing with apples or that sort of stuff. While I appreciate them just the same, I really don't decorate my room with apples! I teach French...and I have about 5 of that same "bonjour!" silver bookmark they carry at Barnes and Noble.


One last thing I thought of might be a gift certificate to a place that has supplies she might use. A local office supply, teacher store, or Target would be great. I spend HOURS in Target...and craft stores...and not just for personal use, either .

 

[KerTggr]

And gift cards to Walmart or where ever for developing would be great too.

This is a really good idea whether she uses Digital or Disposable. You couldmake it more specific to a camera/develop store (like a Kits or something) if you want to be more specific in its use.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

I think disposable cameras would be a great addition to the gift you're giving her (is it a gift card, by any chance? Those are the best!!)

 

[Teacher03]

Another teacher here and I think that is a great idea. I'm sure she will love it.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

I think disposable cameras would be a great addition to the gift you're giving her (is it a gift card, by any chance? Those are the best!!)

Thanks!

No, it's not a gift card, at least I don't think it will be. We live in the middle of basically nowhere, so it would be a WalMart gift card or....... well, McD's? grocery store? That's all we have My boss is her cousin (see, I told you we're in nowhere, lol) and I thought about asking her where she does like to shop for herself, but the problem with that is that I'd have drive an hour to the mall to get the card, and that's the only reason I'd be going.

I'm still thinking on the actual gift. I know she likes Longaberger baskets, they're all over the classroom, but that's more than I can spend.

 

[PopArtGal]

I'm a teacher.....

This is a lovely idea!!

I think that having a group paying for a cheap digital camera would be great.

I always use my digital camera to put pics of the kids on the wall The kids love it...

So digital is good because the prints are cheap after that....