Teachers: What gifts did you receive?

[LSmith]

The gift of music.

Do you get paid to teach music? If so, not a gift.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

As a teacher, I am uncomfortable with this thread. In my opinion sounds like we are sitting here comparing what the kids gave us. I personally don't let my kids give me gifts and in the beginning of the year include this policy in a letter that I send home.

 

[dogluva]

Do you get paid to teach music? If so, not a gift.

Wow. I really believe that people do not like teachers anymore. This was not nice. I know that the music teacher where I work goes above and beyond this time of year with all the concerts. She gives up her nights and those are not paid. The kids talk about the concerts the next day like it was the happiest night of their lives.She has to do multiple nights because of the amount of grades and students. So, yes, I believe that music teachers do give the gift of music regardless of getting paid or not. I loved, loved my music teacher and still remember her so fondly even though I couldn't read a not and was so shy I did not even sing. She instilled a love of music in me that I truly believe was a gift even though I am sure she recieved a paycheck.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

Do you get paid to teach music? If so, not a gift.

Well, that wasn't very nice!

This year, all the parents banded together and bought the teacher a mini-iPad. She started to cry, and was saying "I don't have one! I really don't have one!" She was shocked. It was a priceless reaction.

 

[Bertnie20]

I work with ages pk to 6th grade and I always get crafts from the little guys and a couple kids bring us Starbucks gift cards for like 5 bucks. We have teacher appreciation and the parents and pto put together gift bags for each teacher and they are filled with various things if the parent so chooses. I also work at a charter school so it's a little different

 

[Bertnie20]

Really? You are going to make the other posters feel bad that they are showing their appreciation for their student's generosity?

Agree with this. Clearly everyone here posting saying what they have is a teacher. Just because you don't accept gifts doesn't mean others can be happy about what they got. It's not like we're sending home lists of what we want what we like etc. when a child brings in a gift no matter how big or small it melts my heart because they at least thought of me. I still have a little dandelion that I pressed in a book from a little boy who felt bad that he was mean to me. He's 4 it's the thought that counts not oh look what I have I'm better than you etc

 

[declansdad]

Do you get paid to teach music? If so, not a gift.

Is that really necessary?

 

[Tinijocaro]

Do you get paid to teach music? If so, not a gift.

What does your hairdresser get you for Christmas??

I'm not sure what your point is. You seem to have a huge chip on your shoulder or feel you are making some grand point.

Merry Christmas.

 

[gina2000]

I received many small and thoughtful gifts.

I have a favorite gift....the student who told me that he would work his hardest to achieve success throughout the year. I was thrilled.

 

[emer95]

Gosh! I got some really incredible, way-too-generous gifts, but I honestly feel funny now if I share them. I cannot believe how fast this thread turned nasty!

FWIW, I bought all of my kids gifts too, and my room mom. Does that make it better?

 

[dakcp2001]

Do you get paid to teach music? If so, not a gift.

No need to be a grinch. This comment was a bit much here.

 

[punkin]

As a non-teacher and parent, I'm enjoying this thread.

I actually *never* would have thought of giving the two teachers that wrote my son college recommendation letters a thank you gift. I realize that it is a lot of work for them this time of year. While I'm too late for a Christmas gift, I think I will pick up something small for them and have my son take to them after the holidays (his letter just went out last week).

I'm enjoying the thread too. I think it is nice to see that teachers like and appreciate what their students give them.

About the thank you gifts. At DD's school (2010 grad), a "standard" gift for a college rec letter was a gift card of anywhere from $25 to $50 and a handwritten thank you note.

 

[Jennasis]

I've gotten some great stuff from my riding students.

Cookies and baked treats (oh so many and oh so goooood!!)
A gift card to the movies
A gift card to Cold Stone Creamery (my kids know me so well!!)
A lovely fleece saddle cover
A new bit for one of my horses

 

[LSmith]

No need to be a grinch. This comment was a bit much here.

No need for name calling. Just stating a fact.

Many kids go over and above as students but don't receive gifts from their teachers.

 

[declansdad]

No need for name calling. Just stating a fact.

Many kids go over and above as students but don't receive gifts from their teachers.

There is still no need for the comment that you made.

The teachers in my family typically teach between 80 to 120 students. So you really think they could afford to buy gifts for all there students?

Some people give Christmas gifts to their garbage man, their mail carrier, the person delivers the newspaper, etc. Do you think all these people should give gifts to all those they serve as well? Or do you just have a problem with teachers?

 

[Jedana]

There is still no need for the comment that you made.

The teachers in my family typically teach between 80 to 120 students. So you really think they could afford to buy gifts for all there students?

Some people give Christmas gifts to their garbage man, their mail carrier, the person delivers the newspaper, etc. Do you think all these people should give gifts to all those they serve as well? Or do you just have a problem with teachers?

I gave candy to my FedEx guy, and the medical supply delivery guy. I didn't do the UPS guy, because it's never the same one and they won't bring the boxes inside the front door. The FedEx guy is awesome, though--I'm glad we're still on his route!

Not the garbage guys--if they could remember to pick up my recycling or trash every week, I might. Having to call the day after it was supposed to be picked up once or twice a month is ridiculous...especially because it's only our little circle at the end of the street that gets missed.

 

[dakcp2001]

There is clearly some sort of resentment here. Wondering what could make anyone so anti teacher. Teachers spend their own money on school supplies and do a lot of work in their own time. If parents want to give them a gift, why would anyone begrudge that? I get that some teachers feel uncomfortable accepting gifts, but not everyone feels that way. And for the record I am a nurse not a teacher. I just am surprised all the negativity on such a lighthearted positive sharing thread.

 

[declansdad]

I gave candy to my FedEx guy, and the medical supply delivery guy. I didn't do the UPS guy, because it's never the same one and they won't bring the boxes inside the front door. The FedEx guy is awesome, though--I'm glad we're still on his route!

Not the garbage guys--if they could remember to pick up my recycling or trash every week, I might. Having to call the day after it was supposed to be picked up once or twice a month is ridiculous...especially because it's only our little circle at the end of the street that gets missed.

Would you expect them to give you and everyone else they deal with a christmas gift? It seems as if that is what the other poster thinks teachers should do.

 

[Jennasis]

No need for name calling. Just stating a fact.

Many kids go over and above as students but don't receive gifts from their teachers.

I had always assumed (as a kid) that I was giving my teacher a Christmas gift as a "thank you" for all that they do for me during our year together. I never ever ONCE expected anything back from my teacher, as they gave to me every single day I was with them (guidance, knowledge, encouragement ect).

 

[Mickeyrella]

There is clearly some sort of resentment here. Wondering what could make anyone so anti teacher. Teachers spend their own money on school supplies and do a lot of work in their own time. If parents want to give them a gift, why would anyone begrudge that? I get that some teachers feel uncomfortable accepting gifts, but not everyone feels that way. And for the record I am a nurse not a teacher. I just am surprised all the negativity on such a lighthearted positive sharing thread.

I'm also surprised by the negativity. I'm not a teacher but a student, and ever since I can remember I've given my teachers Christmas presents, even now that I'm in college I still give them presents, I just love it... I don't do it to bribe my teachers and they don't see it as me bribing them either, it is just a nice gesture.