Cooperating Teacher Gift?
 

I'm currently student teaching in a fourth grade classroom.
I would like to get my cooperating teacher a thank you gift for letting me invade her classroom for 9 weeks. She is thinking about retiring soon so I don't want to get her anything super teacher-y. Do you think it would be appropriate to make a table runner or wall hanging? I don't know what her favorite colors or what her home is like.
Suggestions on colors or pattern?
Thanks!

I think either would be appropriate. Everyone has dressers (table runners make great dresser scarfs) as well as a table. I would be inclined to stay somewhat neutral with my colors--colors that will go with anything type (as opposed to neon colors, for example.) Good luck.

As a former teacher, I would say, ABSOLUTELY! See what colors her clothes tend to be, or black and white quilts are popular now, or if she is a primary grade teacher, How about Dr. Seuss anything?? mary

How about a holiday theme?

I think a table runner or wallhanging would be great!! You might check with other teachers on staff and see if they know what colors she likes.

I agree.... a table runner or wallhanging would be a great choice. Regarding colors.... what colors does she tend to wear frequently? That is usually a great clue of what her preferences are.

Good luck!.... and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!:thumbup:

Great idea! Teachers are never appreciated enough!

What a thoughtful idea. I supervise student teachers for the local university, and it is a lot of work being a mentor teacher. It is hard to share your classroom, and it is hard to think of everything a beginning teacher needs to know. (I taught for 39 years and had 9 student teachers. I know....) The mentor teacher will really appreciate being appreciated!!

Dina

What about a tote?

I would say a table runner is always a safer bet than a wall hanging as not everyone has a wall that that particular wall hanging would fit. I did learn that the hard way.

Older people seem to get cooler than others in a room. A simple to make lap quilt would be nice.

either would be great but i think something "teachery" theme would still be Ok if that is what she has devoted her life to

Just start chattering about your kitchen/dining room and slip in a question about what colors she uses.

Table runner for sure. I've been teaching 34 years so see that end of it, but have an autistic grandson whose 4-year-old classroom I visit. (He's in another school district, but about once a month I try to go spend about 1/2 a day in his room to help with routines, social interaction,etc.) Anyway, for Christmas I made runners for his music, PE, classroom, principal and aide. They were a hit. May I suggest putting springtime colors on one side and fall colors on the other? Or some kind of reversible one anyway. They'll have choice and get more use that way. I piece one side, but make the other whole-cloth (like the 10 minute runner). That makes quilting easier since you don't have to try to match the top to the bottom seams. GREAT idea!

Unless she is a quilter herself I wouldn't make her a table runner without knowing if she likes them and what her colors are. I have not seen a table runner in a person's home that wasn't a quilter or related to a quilter in a couple of decades. If she attends the school's games maybe a lap quilt to wrap around her at the game would be nice or one for her car if she is married. Most husbands tend to keep a car cooler than a wife likes.