Hard to believe the school year is nearly over but here we are. I have 2 kids in elementary school - is there an appropriate amount to spend? I was thinking of getting each teacher a $25 GC to Starbucks or Amazon, that good enough?
Also I think some classroom parents might pool $ and give a gift. Should I go that route instead and contribute towards the pooled gift?
I think there are some teachers on this board so I just was curious what they think is the best approach. Thanks
With a group gift, we're getting a small gift for $10-20 and the rest will go to an Amazon gift card.
Agreed that gift cards are the way to go, especially to Amazon/Target. Teachers end up spending quite a bit of their own money each year for their classrooms so those particlar GC are always appreciated. Every teacher has a closet full of coffee mugs with hershey kisses already.
J/K.... After 30+ years my most appreciated gifts were notes or cards written by parents or students
J/K.... After 30+ years my most appreciated gifts were notes or cards written by parents or students
Concur with this.
It's so weird, at my kids' elementary school, different county than I teach in, the teachers get the most lavish gifts, gift cards, class gifts, etc... Very coordinated effort.
At the high school I myself teach at, I'm lucky to get one card or note from a student or parent at the end of the year. I don't expect anything because of it. It's just weird how things are in different areas.
But all 20+ parents get letters from the school asking us to buy the teacher a gift on her birthday, buy the teacher a gift for Christmas, buy the teacher a gift on National teacher day or whatever, buy the teacher a end of the year gift... not to mention every summer we get a list of a million supplies for us to provide for "the whole classroom to share"... I mean, I might sound a little harsh or cheap or both but come on this is some bullshit now, its wayyy overboard IMO. I send a Christmas gift. $20 gift card. Thats it.
That's obviously just the district for my kids though.
From, a school librarian who very rarely gets thank you cards or gift
Do not bring in food. General gift cards (Visa etc) are the most appreciated. I've had years where I've gotten several Starbucks cards, and there's not much I like there. Unless they love a specific store, go with Amazon or something with options.
cheers
Now my wife is constantly talking about what to buy for my 7 and 8 y/o kid's teachers.
Isn't there some inherent conflict of interest in tipping/gifting teachers that grade your kids?
Now my wife is constantly talking about what to buy for my 7 and 8 y/o kid's teachers.
Isn't there some inherent conflict of interest in tipping/gifting teachers that grade your kids?
It's different everywhere. Like I said above, it's well organized at my own childrens' elementary school, but at the high school I teach at I don't get anything and I don't expect anything.
As far as a gift for my kids' teachers, they did things so extraordinary this year in the pandemic that I'm actually considered giving them a really BIG gift from my family to theirs just because I'm so moved by the things they did.
Example, my youngest's 1st grade teacher did a zoom call every night last summer to read the kids a bed time story and so they could see their classmates. Every night of the summer.
Honestly, any gesture is appreciated. I really like when the student just writes something nice, those are the things I save. I get a ton of Starbucks cards (I think I have over $200 worth in the app). Gifts will be anywhere from $5 to $25 or more. But again, gifts are not expected and anything I get I appreciate. I am sure your child's teachers feel similar.
+1
Grew up in Northern Jersey and all the time I was in school, I had never even heard of or seen any of my teachers get a year end gift.
My kids aren't in elementary school anymore but for all three of them, we had to pool money at the end of the year for a year end gift.
This only occurred in elementary school. These same parents never did anything for the Middle School or High School teachers.
Quote:
I'm 46 and don't remember every buying gifts/tips for teachers when I went to school. And I have been through Catholic school, NYC public as well as LI public school systems.
Now my wife is constantly talking about what to buy for my 7 and 8 y/o kid's teachers.
Isn't there some inherent conflict of interest in tipping/gifting teachers that grade your kids?
It's different everywhere. Like I said above, it's well organized at my own childrens' elementary school, but at the high school I teach at I don't get anything and I don't expect anything.
As far as a gift for my kids' teachers, they did things so extraordinary this year in the pandemic that I'm actually considered giving them a really BIG gift from my family to theirs just because I'm so moved by the things they did.
Example, my youngest's 1st grade teacher did a zoom call every night last summer to read the kids a bed time story and so they could see their classmates. Every night of the summer.
I'm a teacher and this teacher puts me to shame. What a commitment
Gifts cards are fine, concur with no coffee cups. They are plentiful. Thoughtful gifts that speak to a teacher's interest would be great.
Money or a gift is nice, but the money gets spent and the gifts accumulate... Something from the head or heart lasts forever.