Okay, teachers. It’s time to spill the beans. What type of swag did you tote home on the last day of school? I certainly don’t mean to imply that teachers expect end-of-the-year gifts from their students. But let’s be real. Teachers work very, very hard. So if a parent wishes to express his or her gratitude with a token of appreciation, well, what’s wrong with that? (Of course, care does need to be taken to assure that everyone’s gifts, from flowers to high fives, receive equal and private recognition.)
I’d love to learn about a favorite gift, a unique gift, a useful gift, a surprising gift, an endearing gift, or any kind of gift you received. Just think of the ideas each of us will have for future gift-giving occasions!
Congratulations to each of you!
Diane
PS Check back next week for a giveaway! We’re going to have some FUN this summer!
I of course got the usual gift cards and the mugs marked teacher etc. All appreciated.
But a wonderful gift I was given from the kids was the teacher, parent sculptor poem framed and signed by all of the kids in the graduating class. It will always remind me of the importance of Parents and Teachers working together. I plan to hang it in my room.
Today I received a homemade poster from one of my students. On the poster she wrote a note to me. The note said that I was the best person she had met. She told me that I remind her of her mother and grandmother. She thinks of me as a 3rd mom. The note also said that she really loves me. Not having a child of my own, this really touched my heart. The funny thing is I really love this student as if she were my own child. So I guess we both gave each other the best gift anyone could ask for. Happy Summer everyone!!
I truly appreciate each and every gift I receive from parents and students. This year one of my parents made a scrapbook full of pictures taken throughout the year. She did the same thing when I had her first daughter 4 years ago and I loved getting that.
My parents know that I try very hard to help the children develop a love for reading. This year my class gift was a Kindle. I don’t think I would have ever bought myself one, but they said that since I helped develop the love for reading in their children they wanted to ensure that I was able to get in some quality reading time this summer. What a unique gift!
This year I only received one gift, a wind chime. The family did not have much money, so to give me anything, was just priceless. The little boy picked it out special for me and it really touched my heart.
Each of my 3rd graders wrote a personal message to me on a cut out paper flower. These were then attached to sticks and arranged (by a mom) in a large clay flowerpot along with some “gift card” flowers to a book store and restaurants. It makes a cute centerpiece on my patio table and will bring a smile to me all summer as I read the messages.
I received two gifts this year. One was a bouquet of flowers and he other was a set of mini plates that read peace, harmony, tranquility. One word per plate. This gift also had a lipstick pen with it. I? love my kids!
The best gift ever, after twenty plus years of teaching was a flock of ducks given in my name to a family through Heifer International. I have made donations similar in the names of my co-workers to World Vision to help those in need. These give me the greatest pleasure!
I received several nice gifts from my families this year, including gift cards, tote bags, framed art, etc. But the gift that meant the most to me was a photo album of my class. I had a parent who went on every field trip, came to every class event, and took pictures. She compiled the pictures into an album, adding scripture verses for each picture. I have enjoyed sharing this album with family members and friends already this summer. Gifts like this that allow me to remember my students mean the most to me.
I always try to persuade the families to make a donation to a favorite, local charity instead of giving me gifts at the end of the year. I’ve made a teacher’s autograph book out of a blank journal, covered the outside with apples and encourage them to take my book home and sign it or dictate a comment from their preschooler. These are so precious to me, are all bound together in the same place and don’t cost them anything like a card would. Some of the children have drawn little pictures of the two of us in the book, and it’s so special. The other gift I absolutely love to receive is a thank you from our local food bank which says one of my preschool families has made a monetary contribution to help feed a hungry family in my honor. What could be better than that? After 32 years teaching preschool, I feel that this is so much more meaningful to me than another apple mug or bath salts.