As the school year closes, take time to thank a teacher

[eileen from OH]

write a note, make a phone call, drop off some cookies at your local school.

Teachers get blamed for much and credited for little. They're told they are overpaid and under worked because of that huuuge summer vacation, when in fact they work well into June and go back in August. And if you counted in the hours they put in doing work at home and on weekends plus all the $^%$** mandatory meetings/workshops/seminars, they put their time in. Subtract what they spend on school supplies from their salaries and think of another job where you have to bring your own staples and paper and pens - not too mention mittens and hats that they buy, because they can't stand to see their kids cold and miserable. Think of the constant pressure they are under, and the never-ending "tests" they must prep for and administer, when most just really want to teach.

They get blame from parents who expect miracles of them, but don't demand anything of their own kids.

They face mounds of paperwork and regulations that have nothing to do with teaching. They are forced to follow the dictums of "experts" with doctorates - many of whom never spent a day in a classroom.

If "children are left behind" and a school is "failing" the blame is left on their doorstep. Not overcrowded classrooms, not crumbling buildings, not outdated textbooks, not the lack of computers, not unsupportive administrators, not communities who haven't passed a school bond in years, the problem is just. .. them.

Thank a teacher today. And wish 'em a happy, relaxing summer. They deserve it.

eileen from OH

[BlackVelvetElvis]

1. You must be a teacher

If so, THANK YOU.

[eileen from OH]

3. Former teacher. . .

Actually, my career was only 6 years, but it was enough to give me an undying respect for other teachers.

eileen from OH

[xray s]

2. great idea!

Write a letter to your local paper about the great teachers in your school too!

My son is graduating HS this year. A few weeks ago he received a letter that he wrote to himself as an English project in eighth grade. It was a personal time capsule letter about his likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams etc.

His eight grade teacher saved it and mailed it to him to have when he graduates HS.

That was SO COOL!

Teachers are #1 in my book

[k in IA]

4. What do teachers most like to receive? I've heard gift certificates,

and homemade cookies and such.

[eileen from OH]

5. My most memorable gift

in my short career, was the mom who showed up at the end of the last day of school with a marguerita in a coffee cup. Okay, okay, she knew me pretty well - her kid was a real challenge and we'd collaborated all year, trying to shape his behavior and study skills and he'd made a lot of progress.

I'm sure others who've taught for years will have some. .. er, better ideas.

eileen from OH

[LWolf]

8. ROFLMAO

That mom obviously knew where we head when we close the door behind us on the last day of school!

Some of the gifts that I have cherished:

Plants and seeds; my kids know I'm a gardener, and always gift me with gardening goodies. I have some houseplants that were given to me by students more than 5 years ago, and some poppies that reseed and bloom every year from one packet of seeds from one student.

A gift certificate to a book store.
Tea. Homemade cookies.

And, most of all...cards or notes that remind me that the time we spent together was worthwhile.

[GoBucksBeatBush]

6. ideas...

like eileen, i was (will be again?) a teacher for about 5 years, loved almost every moment of it. got pissed enough about political things that i decided to go to law school to do somehting about it, but still married to a teacher.

some observations:

1. if you have a student who's requested letters of recommendation from teachers...at LEAST have your child write a thank you note. little "tokens of appreciation" are nice too, an added bonus and not expected, but i won't lie, they were neat to get. at least an acknowledgment is key, though. i'm proud to say i never turned a kid down for a letter (although some were clearly more complimentary than others!), but it often irked me that maybe one in three or four would take the time to thank me afterward, or even to bother letting me know what happened vis a vis acceptance, etc.

2. as for gifts...if you're going to get anything for your child's teacher, be they high school, junior high, or elementary, the two magic words (at least for my wife and i) were/are "gift certificates." it allows us to actually afford a decent evening out without feeling guilty for spending more than we really should. even small amounts are greatly appreciated, b/c they can add up. movie theater gift certs and restaurants are two favorites for us, but some people *ahem-elementary teachers?* appreciate clothing store g.c's too. things like this make us feel like we're being treated and thanked as teachers, but also as "real people" with "real lives" as well.

3. as far as food-related stuff, and other knick-knacks, trinkets, and doo-dads...we understand the thought, we really, really do. as someone who's (teacher) mother always made homemade raison bread for every single teacher for three kids every single christmas...there's only so much home-made stuff you can eat before it goes bad. and the trinkets...please, PLEASE, if you heed nothing more from this post...put down the nifty teacher-mug and slowly walk away. you can do it, i know you can...! same with all the nifty candles, inspirational books, novelty pencils, and plastic/wood/ceramic/candle apples. again, it's not that we're not appreciative of the thought, but ask yourself this simple question..."what would I do with this gift if i recieved it?" commence accordingly.

4. if you really must do something "teacher-y" for your child's teacher-good quality pens and pencils are appreciated. i'm not saying a Cross set is in the offering, but things beyond your typical yellow #2 adirondack or bic blue pens are nice. sharpies are always welcome as well (although some districts will provide them already). also, for elementary teachers, asking the teacher if she/he has any children's literature needs would be a great way to make a personalized (read: signed and dated by your child, with a brief thank-you on the inside cover) gift that the teacher would value. my wife spends WAAAAY too much of her own money to supplement her class's reading options (although she reads to them...kindergartners and all...). from a former history teacher's prespective, there's also the possibility that a new/er history book has caught that teacher's eye, something that could be used in future classes, but dang, those things are expensive if we run out and buy every single one that could potentially be used in class. (although you might note...if you give a gift cert at barns and noble, or some of the other major chains, the teacher can purchase the book personally and get an educator's discount.)

5. perhaps the best idea...ask the teacher if there's anything that he or she really need or want related to the classroom(or anything else for that matter...at the end of the year, i could've killed for a nice hour-long massage, but my coaching collegues in texas probably would've mocked me for that...!).



please note, however: i'm not meaning to sound like a "gimme gimme gimme" kind of perspective. i don't think gifts should be obligatory or even necessary in most situations. i wont' lie, they're certainly nice, but just as important was a smile, a handshake, eye contact, and a heart-felt "thank you" from the student on the way out the door on the last day. the rest of the stuff is just gravy (although that may be my high school teacher perspective). if there's a teacher that's been particularly important for your child (or if your child is elementary-aged, and is a little shit-head who's caused the teacher to go prematurely grey this year), expressing your thanks and appreciation as a parent AND child is certainly appreciated and moving. (besides, the elementary teachers only really compare gifts at christmas time and end of the year for a week or so after they get them...!:)




on the whole, i'd have to say gift certificates are the way to go, in whatever denomination and at whatever place you think is appropriate.


just my...well, about a $1.50 by now....



allen in columbus

[eileen from OH]

10. Great ideas, allen

Thanks so much for joining in and adding immeasurably to the thread.

I will add that if your child is young, having them pick out a gift is neat and the truest expression of "it's the thought that counts." I had a huge laugh over the little one who, all on her own (or so swore her Mom) got me Body to Body Deoderant Powder. (Which led to a year of an unfortunate smelling-the-pits-before-class habit.)

Again, thanks for the great ideas.

eileen from OH

[k in IA]

11. Thanks, my oldest is just getting ready to finish Kindergarten

so I have many years ahead for this and nobody wants to buy people stuff they can't use and don't like.

[Rowdyboy]

7. As the partner of a 28 year veteran in public education

(English and Spanish) I have the utmost respect for the profession.

Also, my brother (age 41) is teaching his 1st semester as an elementary teacher (5th grade). His wife is a grade school principal.

[GoBucksBeatBush]

12. first year teacher experiences....

tell him that i, and all the other teachers here, can empathize with him...to paraphrase bob knight, the best thing about being a first year teacher is that you then become a second year teacher. to be vulgar, my mentor always said that every teacher deserved a "fuck up year" their first year teaching. "oops, guess i fucked that up! note to self for next year..."

we've all got stories on that year...i'm sure he'll survive, and i take my hat off to him going back as a middle-aged new teacher...impressed.


allen

[proud patriot]

9. I received a gift certificate

for an entire mall once which was great because
I could use it for different things .

Good Coffee Beans were always appreciated by me .