Gifts for Teachers

Lavender13

When my dd was 8, she prepared a memory box for her teacher.In a pretty box she put in pieces of paper, on which she had written a memory that she had of the previous year.Things like, "we all laughed when Lucy said......."," I remember when we made a poster saying .......", the memories were specific to that particular class and activities they had done, but not too personal.She gave it to the teacher saying that if he felt annoyed at his class or upset,he could pull out a memory, and hopefully it would help cheer him up.
The teacher thought it was a brilliant idea.We have heard that he still reads it,and shares it with his class.This was 4 years ago.

bargain_hunter_2

Must admit I do hand a box of choccies into the office staff at end of term/christmas - after all any time my little one has fallen, or felt sick etc. its the office staff who administer the plasters and stay with them til mummy comes ain't it !! They are always a lot more appreciative than the teacher who, I suspect, come to expect it !

s-j-cooper_2

I never realised how much people hated teachers!

Ellie2758

Surely this request has to be against local authority guidelines? I know that council staff are not allowed to accept gifts - or at least if they do, they have to declare them. To actually REQUEST gifts cannot be right.

trippy

This thread has got me thinking about what I will buy my daughter's teachers when she leaves nursery school to go to Reception. They have all been absolutely wonderful and my husband is now a parent governer and knows how much hard work goes into running it. Anyway, I liked the idea of buying a book for the library but I don't know what they've got in it already. So how about buying a book token? Would the school be able to use it where they would normally get their books from?

Careful_girl

Well I spend my whole day cajoling my children not only into learning but enjoying school and trying to help prepare them for life. I am winding myself up to writing 24000 words in the next couple of weeks in my own time on their reports (whilst moving house!) and I am already exhausted. I work in one of the most deprived areas of the country and spend an enormous amount of time supporting the parents who often have horrific lives. We spend most of our holidays working or catching up on all the stuff we can't do in term time.
I have found it embarrassing sometimes when being given presents however I do need a constant supply of chocolate (all staff congregate in my room!!) and love getting cards and pictures from the children. I keep them all. I was given a lovely dough model some years ago of me with a huddle of children hanging on me which is greatly loved.
Please do not feel it is polite to give us presents, we are paid and although the job is tough many of us love it. Any presents are appreciated though particularly when home made or chosen by the children.

crazymum_2

I have 3 children in primary school and we have been giving teachers gifts from the oxfam unwrapped catalogue - ie a gift to charity and a card to the teacher saying what has been donated. We have had a great response from teachers for these - they seem to be really appreciated.

plumpmouse

profpatpending wrote:

Don't set me off about teachers! I'm a school administrator and I see just how pampered they actually are and they still have the cheek to moan. They complain that they are low paid, but they actually only work part time hours 32.5 hours a week for only 39 weeks a year. They get over an hour for lunch and a morning and afternoon break when they aren't doing a playground duty. They also get to sit in the staff room stuffing their faces during assembly. On top of this they get half a day a week out of the classroom for planning an preparation. If anybody should moan it's the office staff who work much longer hours for much less pay (but we don't moan 'cos we're lovely!!). Most of them have never had a job in the 'real' world having never really left school (school, uni, then back to school). When I was a lass (many moons ago) teachers worked much harder and were more prepared to partake in clubs out of school hours (football, netball, cricket etc). Save your money on pressies - you pay enought out of your taxes for them! Anyway, rant over.

Ho hum guess the grass is always greener. I'm guessing that teacher would think secretary's have an easy time, sitting down all day, answering the phone, typing letters, no kids to deal with all day. It's easy to think other people have an easier time. I had planned to do teacher training but didn't when I met my now husband. I can honestly say I'm relieved I didn't as it is hard work.

With regards to teachers being more prepared to take part in extra activities eg sport and trips ,the risk of being "sued " or blamed for any accident is now a big issue. Would you risk losing your career (or being sent to prison which has happened in at least one case I can remember). No I thought not.

Many teachers do a fantastic job and perhaps a little more appreciation is needed

Careful_girl

School secretaries run the school. No doubt about it. I saw one once take the head's class......:j She was a legend.
CG

bobmacuk

why on earth do people feel they have to buy a gift for a teacher, its their job nothing else. It pays the mortgauge and bills I dont see people rushing out buy a present for me while i sweep thier street or when I went overseas in the armed forces. Get a grip