Hi, all. I am in charge of staff appreciation at my daughter's elementary school and was thinking about doing an "About my teacher" form to send home with parents at the beginning of the year. We include the entire faculty and staff, janitorial staff, office --everyone! So, it's actually called "Staff Appreciation." We do quarterly events and I thought it would be nice to put a bug in the parents' ears to help enhance the special days. Plus, at Christmas, on their birthdays, and at year's end they will have a better idea of what to get (and what not to get) for their teachers. Could you kindly list a few "facts" you would like for your students and parents to know? I've got the basics -- birthday, spouse, kiddos, favorite color, favorite food(s)/restaurant(s), coffee or tea...Anything else? I don't want to do info overload, but I want everyone to feel well informed and for the staff to feel loved. Thanks in advance!
The elem. school that my mom retired from, one year did a book about each teacher. They gave their kids a sheet with questions about their teacher that year on it and had them fill it out, they binded it and gave it to the teacher. It was SO funny..some of the questions were: "What time does your teacher get to school each day" "What does he/she eat for lunch" "What does he/she do when they are out a day" 'What does he/she do on weekends" The K's answers were hilarous..some stating that their teachers got to school at 4am or even midnight! You could ask favorite music...
That's very nice! Our PTA did something similar one year. We also listed favorite places to shop (I ended up getting gift cards to stores I love!) and hobbies.
See now, I think a lot of my private life should remain private. But, I know I'm the exception instead of the rule in teaching. One of the best things the parents did for us at school was to pool all of their money together that they would normally spend on Christmas gifts for the teachers and one parent went and bought us gift cards to a local mall instead. Each year it varies, but it usually ends up being about $150-$200 at Christmastime. This is a very expensive private school, so parents can afford to do this. The other thing the parents do for us is have a teacher appreciation luncheon during the time we're setting up. It's lovely....they bring in lots of food and drinks, etc, set the tables with lovely table cloths and napkins, and we just get to come and eat and relax with other teachers. Again, it's lovely. I would check with the teachers before releasing lots of info about them.
I was assuming that teachers would fill out a form to provide the info. You could tell as little or as much about yourself as you wanted. Or not fill it out at all.
I think it's a nice idea. As a high school teacher, I don't get (or expect) many gifts, but some students do give them. I wish there was a way to say, "don't buy those prepaid Visa, etc., cards"! I found one in my drawer I had gotten from a student a year ago, but it wouldn't work - called the company only to find out there was a monthly "service charge" that had completely eaten up the $25! I've had trouble using others at some stores. Also, one well-meaning student gave me - aka the Black Thumb - a live bonsai this year. It is clinging to life on my kitchen windowsill, but the prognosis is not good! I would love to be able to tactfully put out that my favorite places to shop are office supply stores...
You could also find a tactful and non-intrusive way to ask them what they dislike or if they have any allergies/dietary issues. You'd hate to buy a big chocolate basket for someone who has diabetes...
I think it's a great idea. You could include "favorite gifts" & "least favorite gifts". I like the favorite restaurants. You could include favorite places to shop, favorite gift cards. Leaving it optional is nice for teachers who prefer not to share information. It's really nice to feel appreciated!
I second this!! I was just diagnosed with peanut and tree nut allergies. My school did teacher appreciation week, each day was something different, bring your teacher chocolate was one of the days. Most chocolate I cannot eat as it has warnings on it. I was given all this Belgian and other chocolate that I had to give away. I plan on sending out a little letter at the beginning of the year explaining my allergy to parents.
As a Christmas gift one year I asked for pencils and erasers!:lol: Sadly I didn't get any but the candy I got was good:2up:
