Teachers' gifts: yes or no, buy or make, group or individual

dekaspace

When I was at school the only ones that gave gifts were the ones who were sucking up or getting private tuition (and it was paid for by parents) it was more an act to show off than anything.

The teachers I got on with the best were the ones I used to speak to years later when you saw them on street and they asked how life was, its no surprise the teachers that treated everyone fair and were genuine nice people were the ones that had students that got the best grades.

The most I did in terms of "gifts" was a few years later offering to buy a teacher I got on with at school a drink out of respect when I saw him in pub.

Lotti1982

As a teacher myself I can see that my sons teacher has gone above and beyond the requirements of her job and is truly the most wonderful teacher possible, my son has made huge progress this year and thoroughly enjoys school too, she definitely deserved the small gift he chose and the card if which I wrote what he asked and he wrote his name (he is in nursery) neither of which cost a lot but we're very heartfelt and appreciated.

bambinaUK

My 13 year collection of thank you cards is my reminder that I am good at what I do and that my students do (eventually) appreciate what I have helped them achieve.

Chocolates and biscuits are never refused in our staffroom.
We tend to have a treat table that keeps us going for several months.

daivid

We (myself and OH are teachers) could open a medium sized coffee shop serving drinks only in best teacher mugs. There is no need to buy a teacher anything, cards are definitely appreciated - especially when the child has taken some time to write it. Beyond that gifts fall into one of three categories: tat (best teacher mugs, plaques, coasters...), unhealthy (20 bottles of wine anyone :rotfl: ) or extravagant (jewellery, shopping vouchers...)

It's all very kind and I am grateful but it's completely unnecessary, our pay is more than sufficient to buy the essentials and more. If your child likes their teacher get them to write a nice card. The only gift I remember giving to a teacher was a bunch of flowers I picked from the garden for my year 2 teacher, so I suppose like many teachers I contradict my own advice

smallholdingsister

We got to post #16 before teacher bashing started, so yay.
As a teacher though a card or an email with a few kind words is just perfect.

Brokeattheminute

I have 2 children in primary school.The way we do it is buy the 2 teachers and 2 classroom assistants a small gift at christmas time we dont give them anything in the summer but sometimes they get a card made by 1 or both of my children.

mr_knight

Well I don't think the gift has to be expensive but most teachers go massively above and beyond. I think it is nice that it is acknowledged. However reading this it seems the gift that my child has made would be seen as tat. It's only a plant pot which she has had great fun painting. She chose the plants from the garden centre and planted each. It's cost a couple of £ but she is so proud and we have had fun together making them. These can stay in the classroom if they don't want to take them home.

A home made card is going in too.

I think being appreciated is nice whether or not you get paid for it.

pinkshoes

This thread got me thinking...

As a secondary school teacher, we rarely get gifts or cards. Occasionally I have had a wonderful card from a kid, with genuine thanks for help I have given.

My workload is often ridiculous, and that does not include the hours I have put in to help individual kids, whether that is with my subject or for personal reasons.

What I find irritating is the amount of parents that just expect me to drop everything to help their darling child, then I don't even get a thanks at the end of it, despite my efforts being way beyond what is expected of me. I don't expect a gift (although alcohol always appreciated - often NEEDED with some stuff I have dealt with!!!), but getting a card to let me know the effort was appreciated makes it worthwhile.

susancs

mr_knight wrote: »

Well I don't think the gift has to be expensive but most teachers go massively above and beyond. I think it is nice that it is acknowledged. However reading this it seems the gift that my child has made would be seen as tat. It's only a plant pot which she has had great fun painting. She chose the plants from the garden centre and planted each. It's cost a couple of £ but she is so proud and we have had fun together making them. These can stay in the classroom if they don't want to take them home.

A home made card is going in too.

I think being appreciated is nice whether or not you get paid for it.

I am an early years teacher and would really appreciate the effort that went into a gift like you describe. I would not consider it tat.

Our school broke up on Friday and really appreciated all the lovely cards and gifts. My teens really love eating the chocolates. My favourite (and my teens) was a large jar with layers of ingredients for chocolate brownies, which had a label giving extra ingredients required (egg and butter) and cooking instructions. It was presnted in a brown paper carrier bag which the child had painted a rainbow on.

mr_knight

susancs wrote: »

I am an early years teacher and would really appreciate the effort that went into a gift like you describe. I would not consider it tat.

Our school broke up on Friday and really appreciated all the lovely cards and gifts. My teens really love eating the chocolates. My favourite (and my teens) was a large jar with layers of ingredients for chocolate brownies, which had a label giving extra ingredients required (egg and butter) and cooking instructions. It was presnted in a brown paper carrier bag which the child had painted a rainbow on.

Thank you for your reply. Her teacher is lovely so I'm sure she will tell her how much she loves it.