Looking 4 end-of-year teacher gift ideas!

ellekay · #1 05-21-2005, 09:50 AM

I'm a parent looking for gift ideas for some very SPECIAL teachers! Looking for ideas in a variety of price ranges.
As a teacher, what do you appreciate most... personal praise, gift certificates, a complimentary note to administration??? Help!!!!

teacher333 · #2 05-21-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellekay

I'm a parent looking for gift ideas for some very SPECIAL teachers! Looking for ideas in a variety of price ranges.
As a teacher, what do you appreciate most... personal praise, gift certificates, a complimentary note to administration??? Help!!!!

Definitely gift certificates - a book store (chain or local); an educational book store or learning warehouse as there is never enough money to buy supplies for the classroom; a gift certificate for even just coffee at Starbucks or Borders. What also is a nice idea is a letter written to the building principal stating what has been positive for that year with that particular teacher and your child - that kind of thing becomes a part of our file and is usually also forwarded to the Superintendent's office. It's nice to be appreciated by the parents!

Upsadaisy · #3 05-21-2005, 10:28 AM

Gift certificate, I agree. I usually get some to Barnes & Noble, which is great. Also, a general mall gift certificate comes in handy. One parent wrote a beautiful poem about my class this year and gave a copy to my principal. I cried.

teacher333 · #4 05-21-2005, 11:14 AM

Yeah, not enough of the "satisfied" parents relay those messages to administration and some times that is the least expensive, but most rewarding gift to give a teacher!

Grammy Teacher · #5 05-21-2005, 11:27 AM

Teachers are very , very busy and find little time for cooking meals. So, one of my favorite gifts is a certificate to a restaurant. Simple notes of appreciation are another favorite and I do wish more parents would tell administration and directors all the good points about their child's teacher.

jenglish97 · #6 05-21-2005, 12:51 PM

I love getting gift certificates for bookstores and teacher stores since most teachers do not have enough money to buy supplies for the upcoming year. I know that in my school our supply order has been cut in half for next year so I do not have enough money to even purchase construction paper.

Another thing I love getting are thank you notes from parents who have apprieciated the hard work for the year.

Hope this helps...

kimrandy1 · #7 05-21-2005, 01:45 PM

While I like gift certificates, the gifts I most appreciate are the ones with the personal touches. A letter from a parent who was happy (with a copy to the principal) is something that is extraordinary. Also, anything that shows that you've taken the time to get to know the teacher personally and can give a gift that caters to her interests is special, too (For example, I'm moving this year, and one parent made me new address labels. It wasn't expensive, but it was really appreciated! Or if the teacher has a specific hobby, or a favorite restaurant, or a special collection, a gift leaning toward that would be great.
Kim

Grammy Teacher · #8 05-21-2005, 02:55 PM

I love those personalized gifts. .. I like cats and have recieved some cute cat things over the years. Another thing that I love are plants. I still have one from last spring(a begonia) that a little boy gave me and it is flowering!

sdhudgins · #9 05-21-2005, 03:24 PM

My favorite gifts have been hand written notes.... All the other things have been nice too (I really appreciated some gift certificates to restaurants one year!!.. and one for a manicure!)
but those notes I treasure and read when I'm having a rough time and they'll lift me right back up!

TeachWildThings · #10 05-21-2005, 05:59 PM

As a parent: one year we made a photo album of the year and had each child do a scrapebook page. Another mom (who was unable to coordinate the kids) made one and each page was the letter of the alphabet and corosponding kids names, activities or curriculum & supplies. (like stickers of rulers under R, ect.) They still talk about those! As a teacher: book & food certificates as mentioned above. I must say though, some feel after awhile a little sick of all the "teacher" necklaces, pen holders, ect. But some really love them! Also, if it is a new teacher, I think it is a requirement to get a sappy necklace/mug/tote your first year! It's kind of like a rite of passage....