Teacher gifts

Old 09-16-2012, 11:41 AM
  #31  
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AS a retired teacher, I will add that donating supplies to the classroom or to a local charity in my name was always the most appreciated gift. When I retired, I probably had over 60 mugs given to me. The most frequently given gifts were coffee cups, Christmas ornaments, Bath and Body Works and candy.
I was always so grateful when parents sent in notebook paper and extra pencils for those children whose parents did not or would not buy them supplies. Sometimes parents worked at a business where pencils were given out to customers. One lady always inquired how I was doing with pencils and would send in a box of several hundred when we ran low. I can't tell you how much I appreciated her thoughtfulness. Notebook paper was also a huge gift for us. Extra crayons, checking pens, scissors, paperback dictionaries and an atlas were wonderful. When we had book fairs, so many would donate paperback books to our classroom.
I was soooo very grateful for all these wonderful gifts from my parents and grandparents. I taught in Kentucky and did not make the gigantic salaries they pay in some states.
I was also extremely grateful to the parents and room mothers who would plan our holiday parties and provide refreshments and some form of entertainment. Another big gift is a gift of your time. Some of my parents were faithful about coming in to lead book discussion groups, listen to a child read or help another with multiplication facts. We even had Foster Grandparents who came to our school to help our children. They were blessings to our classrooms. It does take a Village to get the job done!
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Old 09-16-2012, 11:52 AM
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Default Art teachers are underfunded too!

Originally Posted by quiltmau View Post
I wish I knew where to send crafts supplies. I had several boxes of yarn, books, hoops, wood bead, alpha beads from previous craft projects. I asked a person that worked in a local school and she told me the teachers did not want my 'junk'.
I donated it to a thrift shop and the ladies were very excited to get the items. They were not bits and pieces but full bags of bead, skeins of yarn, etc. -I tend to over by when I do crafts. I wish I had know some of the teachers here on the board as I would have paid the shipping to give them the items.
I also have the same problem with my quilts-my family doesn't want them and I love to design. I was hoping to give them as lap quilts to VN and retirement homes but have been shut down every time I ask, Same for my books.
Oh well-some one will want them
My art teacher at the school where I teach would have absolutely LOVED to have your beads, yarn and whatnot. When the time is right to get rid of your quilts and books, I'll be glad to help you find deserving homes for them. It's important to keep the cycle going by exposing our kids to good examples of creativity!
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Old 09-16-2012, 12:07 PM
  #33  
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I taught for 37 years and didn't make near the six figure amount mentioned in the earlier post...even with a double Master's degree plus another 30 hours of graduate credit. No one except maybe a few superintendents of some giant school districts earn that much around here.

I appreciated any gift given to me, but those I cherish the most were the notes of thanks I received from parents over all those years. I used to pull those out on really difficult days to help boost my spirits and keep me going. I still have them even though I've been retired for two years. Just let the teachers who deserve it know that you appreciate their efforts.
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Old 09-16-2012, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by kathdavis View Post
Teachers in my area do not make six figures. We also aren't paid overtime like most are in the corporate world either. I could grade papers until midnight at my desk every night and not make a single dime more. By mid-October, my students are out of notebook paper, so I stock up on spiral notebooks by the cases in August because my students will go through them in a school year. The last several years, my students have stopped bringing in tissues, so I have purchased at least $50 in tissues each year. I went through over three grosses (432) of pencils by the 1st of December last year and had to order more. I teach manners, respect, tolerance, appropriate dress, social skills, and vocabulary, along with my core subject, English. Almost monthly, I'm cursed out by students, as well as, parents who aren't doing their job in the first place and wonder why I'm bothering them about their child. And, the government is thinking about basing my salary on their child's test scores.

I still think what I do is important. I don't expect nor receive many gifts from my students, since I teach middle school and it just isn't cool by then to give teachers gifts, plus many of our students don't get much themselves around the holidays. Money is very tight for many of our families and I would much rather my students come to school with their tummies full, than give me gifts. I do love when my students come back to see me several years down the road to tell me they are finishing up high school or doing well in college. That really makes everything I do worth while.

Thank you out there for thinking about us teachers.
I agree wholeheartedly with you. I think all teachers are underpaid. I didn't have to buy all that extra stuff when my children were in school. But with the 13 grandchildrens I do my best to make sure they have everything on their supply list plus more. I have a friend that was a teacher, some parents can't afford to buy everything the child needs for school. If I can pitch in and help buy I do. When the school have their fall carnival I try to make quick and easy stuff to sell and donates the funds to teachers. Wal-mart now have prepaid Visa Cards that can be used anywhere. When a child has everything they need for school they can concentrate better on their school work. Yes, there are some teachers that I have made special gifts just to show appreciation. That's why we buy gifts for the teachers.
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Old 09-16-2012, 04:06 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by deneldacoop View Post
Why do we have to buy teachers gifts?
No one HAS to buy anyone a gift. I gift is a gift. For a teacher it is a sign of appreciation. Little gifts are the most appropriate......in the old days a hankie or potholder or pen wipe, or some flowers were the kinds of tokens presented to loved teachers. One year my fourth grader gave his teachers 4 oz jars of jam he and I made with wild strawberries we picked.

There is a divergence of thoughts here: gifts vs. classroom supplies. Gifts are personal, classroom supplies are shared by the children. I cannot tell you how many boxes of facial tissues, for example, I purchased during my teaching career. Our school budget did not extend to such supplies. When our PTO could, they donated $10 per semester to help. Our excess levy failed and pencils, crayons and other supplies dried up. Ask a teacher what is needed.........

As far as gifts go, the well-squeezed handful of daffodils in April, the box of instant cocoa packets to tuck in my desk drawer, the jar of newts or frog spawn for our classroom aquarium, the homemade pencil holder, the little Christmas towel, the gracious help at classroom parties, and the note of appreciation could never be topped by a box store card.

P.S. About all those mugs---my little ones were proud when the mug they gave me became one of the supply cart caddies, just the right size for a box of markers or an assortment of crayons to carry to the table or desk for work or art.

Last edited by Greenheron; 09-16-2012 at 04:10 PM.
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Old 09-16-2012, 04:48 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Oistin View Post
Lynnie, it might seem your sister is making a lot of money, but she is probably working a lot of overtime and doing extra activities, probably working in the summer enrichment activities for the school district. She must be working in the big city. So cut her some slack. I just retired after 34 years and did not work as much extra as she did but I did before school enrichment and afterschool activities and I worked in the summer also. Maybe she should quit complaining an be thankful that she has a lot of activities to choose from to make extra money.Parents and officials are asking for a longer day and more activities and these require money.
As for gifts, I learn never look a gift horse in the mouth , be thankful for what you get. I know when I am appreciated by parents and when they tell me that their cjild is excited about math and don't want to miss school, that's my thanks.
Aa tually she doesnt work o.t. she says she gi es multiple guess tests with either 10 or 25 questions so she doesnt ha e to mark mu h.
She has a out17 to 20 kids in her class. When i went to s hool, i had 50 kids in the lass and we listenrd to the tea her.
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Old 09-16-2012, 05:03 PM
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On long island the law enforcement makes over six figurez after three yeR also. My dh has been at his job for over 25 yrs. Hed be happy to make what most of you teachers do.he also has a master degree.here on the island, 25 yrs ago, my ex, a corre tion officer made maoew than my dh makes now. After five years in the corre tions facility, he made over $100,000.
And no, my son and i did not see a penny of it. Cost of living here is a bit more. Gas today was $4.39/gal
we have a condo1000sf cost 2 1/2 yrs ago was about $250,000.00 and we had to replace two bathrooms before it was liveable. Taxes for us are low, a out $5,000.00. Things are tiht here, as in any place.
Oh...my sister tea hes in the Hamptons.
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Old 09-16-2012, 06:52 PM
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I have seen some good suggestions on here for teacher gifts, and since I have a daughter that teaches in Mississippi school system, I have seen her have her own children's uniforms clean and pressed, their outgrown coats and jackets and even their tennis shoes to give to needy children in her classroom. That is in addition to school supplies and snacks she provides for them.

So, I would say school supplies or a money card to any store would be much appreciated.
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Old 09-17-2012, 04:54 AM
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There are so many good thoughts in this thread on this subject. I retired after 31 years of teaching in 5 states. Salaries vary wildly and most are dictated by cost of living issues.

The best gifts aren't gifts, as several have mentioned. Although gift cards and supplies are terrific to receive; don't get me wrong. Those gifts help in so many ways, as does volunteering.

But my best gifts? Parents and students who stay in contact to let me know how "my" student is doing...even afer I moved all the way across the country! That's my best gift...to know that I did my part in educating a future productive citizen. Quite a few have graduated from universities and two are military pilots! (I taught 2nd grade, so keeping in touch all those school years is something exciting to me.)

To those of you who volunteer in the schools and donate supplies and gift cards, bless you. Your example of caring for others is being watched by the small children in your care. They will remember. Those lessons will transfer. And if there's a teacher who really went the extra mile, it's never too late to send a note telling how much the teacher helped. (Most schools will be kind enough to forward those letters if the teacher is out of area.) Off the soapbox...
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Old 09-17-2012, 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by quiltmau View Post
I wish I knew where to send crafts supplies. I had several boxes of yarn, books, hoops, wood bead, alpha beads from previous craft projects. I asked a person that worked in a local school and she told me the teachers did not want my 'junk'.
I donated it to a thrift shop and the ladies were very excited to get the items. They were not bits and pieces but full bags of bead, skeins of yarn, etc. -I tend to over by when I do crafts. I wish I had know some of the teachers here on the board as I would have paid the shipping to give them the items.
I also have the same problem with my quilts-my family doesn't want them and I love to design. I was hoping to give them as lap quilts to VN and retirement homes but have been shut down every time I ask, Same for my books.
Oh well-some one will want them
Perhaps nursing homes or donate to the local humane society to be sold as a fundraiser and not for the doggies and kitties to use. Perhaps Quilts of Valor would like your quilts. If you were closer to me, I would ask for a donation for the veterans or Wounded Warriors which might be avenue to check out also - Wounded Warrior Project.
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