Gifts for Teachers

profpatpending

Sorry Pennineman, but it is true, you see I actually work there so I know what's going on.

Although I don't know the circumstances of your early retirement I have seen teachers I've worked with take early retirement and then come back and work as supply teachers at £25+ an hour, thus getting TWO incomes out of education at the same time. I must admit you did make me laugh with your description of your working day, it was a bit like the sketch of the 3 Yorkshiremen in Monty Python. If teaching is as bad as teachers make out, why do the majority of them stay in the same profession until they retire?

As for joining the teaching profession, I don't think it would be for me. I prefer to use my brain a bit more. I don't think its a well known fact that schools buy in schemes of work which actually tell teachers what questions to ask and what kind of answers to expect from the kids. Not for me I'm afraid, but each to their own. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent teachers out there, but there are other excellent people in all walks of life who get very little recognition for the work they do, work longer hours and don't get paid half the salary.

Careful_girl

Love to get a scheme of work to teach 30 children with a wide range of abilities and the support of 10 different languages. Just had a new child who has been in the country since April. Nobody has bothered to tell me the language she speaks, but I do know that she is from the Philippines. She is doing really well and has made excellent progress so far. That is nothing to do with me though I suppose? Schemes of work are pretty lame in my opinion. Great for the average child but I haven't met one for years. We are advised to do all sorts of wierd things in this profession. Often we do it just to please. This week I have been told to display my learning objectives rather than tell the children. Only some of the children can read. They aren't allowed to know the learning objectives. Can I have a new printer please to print them out? No. Handwrite them. Oh but you are not allowed to do any display. Nor are the assistants.......Sorry you are getting me going again!!!!
Still love the job. Will work my socks off and teach my children in the best way I can. Whatever their or their parents' needs are.
CG

mgardner

rdwarr wrote:

That came across as really nasty. Surely if a kid wants to give his teacher a present he ought to be able to do so without the Spanish Inquisition.

When my Mum was in hospital I bought flowers for the nurses who looked after her in her final days. Obviously they get paid as well; I just thought it might be nice.

I thought it was nasty too, Teachers do not ask for presents, in fact my teacher daughter usually ends up donating most of hers to the school for raffles etc. The only ones she ever keeps are little handmade ones, to remind her of that particular child.

pandas66

profpatpending wrote:

As for joining the teaching profession, I don't think it would be for me. I prefer to use my brain a bit more. I don't think its a well known fact that schools buy in schemes of work which actually tell teachers what questions to ask and what kind of answers to expect from the kids. Not for me I'm afraid, but each to their own. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent teachers out there, but there are other excellent people in all walks of life who get very little recognition for the work they do, work longer hours and don't get paid half the salary.[/quote]
I have obviously been very fortunate with the teachers that have come into contact with my children, they have been outstanding, going totally over and above for mine and others in their schools.
My eldest is near completeing his GCSE's (1 to go) and has had a huge amount of extra lessons available to him this year. It started in the half term in Feb going through to Easter school and after school time too, he has stayed late 3 nights a week since last December to ensure all his course work was of a high standard. He also offered to help 'tutor' some other students along with the teachers.
Younger son is now in year 8 and has been offered extra lessons in RE to take his GCSE in year 9 IF HE SO WISHES. This being 2 years forward and so it will be his desicion to or not.
I have thanked all the teachers I can, I also insisted my son took time to write a few notes to teachers for their extra time and effort. He is (and I) emensely grateful to teachers that do not work the buy in schemes, actually I have never heard of them but I'm sure glad of that.
A good teacher sets a good young person out on the right path, whether academically or not, inspirationally to acheive.
I have given tokens of thanks over the years of chocs or flowers, given towards leavers or birth of child gifts but my choice now is for a thank you card/note from the heart.........
for all the teachers that teach from the heart not just from the book :T

s-j-cooper_2

It is strange how this turned into a 'why I hate teachers' thread when every teacher who has posted on here has stated that they don't expect gifts and certainly don't expect money to be spent on them. To tell you the truth, I really appreciate a 'thank you' from the child or parents at the end of the year, presents are always welcome, but certainly not expected!

Last year I did two after school clubs a week nearly the whole academic year, which also involved taking children to fixtures on a weekend. About 50 children attended them in all and two parents said thank you. When I had to cancel a club because of the weather a couple of paretns complained that wouldn't be getting their extra hour and a half off! I also had one girl who came to the clubs who did not care one bit about them and was made to come so that she wasn't at home.

I really didn't realise that people hated teacher's so much! I always thought it was a worthwhile job! Oh well, you live and learn.

s-j-cooper_2

profpatpending wrote:

Sorry Pennineman, but it is true, you see I actually work there so I know what's going on.

Although I don't know the circumstances of your early retirement I have seen teachers I've worked with take early retirement and then come back and work as supply teachers at £25+ an hour, thus getting TWO incomes out of education at the same time. I must admit you did make me laugh with your description of your working day, it was a bit like the sketch of the 3 Yorkshiremen in Monty Python. If teaching is as bad as teachers make out, why do the majority of them stay in the same profession until they retire?

As for joining the teaching profession, I don't think it would be for me. I prefer to use my brain a bit more. I don't think its a well known fact that schools buy in schemes of work which actually tell teachers what questions to ask and what kind of answers to expect from the kids. Not for me I'm afraid, but each to their own. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent teachers out there, but there are other excellent people in all walks of life who get very little recognition for the work they do, work longer hours and don't get paid half the salary.

Have the teachers treated you badly or something!? What a pleasant person you are!

s-j-cooper_2

although if anybody does want to get me something they can get me a bottle of single malt.

boomyanka

I disagree with the blanket idea that all teachers do not deserve a present. My partner is a teacher (and although I may be biased) I do believe that she does deserve presents of the children that she teaches every day. Whilst my partner does get 13 weeks a year holiday, and whilst she is doing a job that she is paid for.....

She is not paid for.........running a cross country club twice a week in the morning before school starts. Going to these cross country meetings which can sometimes mean both days of her weekend......

She is not paid for......running a football club after school in her own time, if she chose not to do it, then it would not happen.....

Same with netball and a whole host of other activities.............these take up her evenings and her weekends and she is not paid for it, she is doing it for the benefit of the children that are at her school.......................

So whilst you may be correct in that some teachers are "just doing there job" I find the sentiment that all teachers are doing their job and deserve no recognition or thanks for it, frankly short sighted.

purplepurple

profpatpending wrote:

Sorry Pennineman, but it is true, you see I actually work there so I know what's going on.

Although I don't know the circumstances of your early retirement I have seen teachers I've worked with take early retirement and then come back and work as supply teachers at £25+ an hour, thus getting TWO incomes out of education at the same time. I must admit you did make me laugh with your description of your working day, it was a bit like the sketch of the 3 Yorkshiremen in Monty Python. If teaching is as bad as teachers make out, why do the majority of them stay in the same profession until they retire?

As for joining the teaching profession, I don't think it would be for me. I prefer to use my brain a bit more. I don't think its a well known fact that schools buy in schemes of work which actually tell teachers what questions to ask and what kind of answers to expect from the kids. Not for me I'm afraid, but each to their own. Don't get me wrong, there are some excellent teachers out there, but there are other excellent people in all walks of life who get very little recognition for the work they do, work longer hours and don't get paid half the salary.

Curious to know why you work in a school environment as school admin when you clearly have little respect for the people you work with. At my school, support staff and admin staff are just as valued as teachers, caretakers, dinner supervisors etc etc We work as a team. It does sound like you're in the wrong field, or at the wrong school?

aimee21j

purplepurple wrote:

Curious to know why you work in a school environment as school admin when you clearly have little respect for the people you work with. At my school, support staff and admin staff are just as valued as teachers, caretakers, dinner supervisors etc etc We work as a team. It does sound like you're in the wrong field, or at the wrong school?

Just what i was thinking! Also the poster says that schools buy in schemes of work so have very little to do....please don't assume every child has the same abilities. Even bought in schemes of work need the lesson plans differentiating to meet the educational needs of induvidual children. You clearly have no idea what goes on past the school office and into the classrooms. A bit of respect towards the people who are doing a great deal to meet the aims of the 'business' would make teaching and learning more productive. I've met office staff like you and it seems you interests don't really reflect those that are best for the children. I bet you don't give up your lunchtimes to run clubs for children...many teachers in my school do.

I've spoken about this on another thread but felt compelled to reply on this one. I also stated that children may like to give their teacher a present as they spend the majority of their time in thier responsibility. Kids can feel quite close to their teachers (mainly in primary schools) and just want to show their fondness for their teacher.

Rant over