<p>For D1 6-12 school, the parent group did something that I thought was really fun- we had lots of donations of teas/wine ( it was a private school), smoked salmon,etc. & bought enough large baskets for ea teacher, then had a party where we sorted the donations so that they were roughly equal in contents and made them more festive looking.
Instead of passing them out- we put them in a classroom & the teachers could pick the ones that were most appealing to them- I liked it cause we were able to show them our appreciation- but no one was left out & parents didn’t have to feel like they had to spend $20 for each teacher.
( I think the teachers also liked it for that reason)</p>
<p>While D2s school parent group had teacher breakfasts and luncheons periodically I also would give presents to her teachers at end of the year- instead of both @ the holiday and before summer but I wanted more ideas to give to my D1 who is getting her MTA ( through a full time classroom position in K-8) & perhaps teachers out there could also share what makes them feel appreciated.
thanks.</p>
<p>Is sounds like you are looking for something your adult daughter can give to the teachers she is working with for her MTA? Gift cards are very popular - local restaurants, teacher stores, bookstores, and movie theaters. I really like the movie theater cards, because I can take my family to the movies and turn my gift into a family gift. Is she aware of something that is needed in the classroom? If there are a few teachers she is interested in thanking, she could make them a thank-you lunch. If it’s too busy now right before the holidays, she can promise to do it for them the week school starts back up.</p>
<p>I don’t know about your school but generally teachers pay for a lot of events and supplies out of their own pockets, esp. in this era of budget cuts. If you can, give a teacher a gift certificate to an office supply store or a teacher’s supply store. Or a note saying you’ll sponsor another child’s (or two) field trip or sports fees in addition to your own.</p>
<p>As a mom of a teacher, I can second the idea of a giftcard. They are very much appreciated. Although all gifts truly are appreciated, my D who is a young teacher has more than enough mugs and teacher specific knicknacks. A gift of something that can be used in the classroom is a great idea, and that can be accomplished by a giftcard to a teachers’ supply store or a bookstore, or even a store like Staples.</p>
<p>Here in Iowa it is the law that no public employee, including public school teachers, can accept a gift worth more than a certain amount (for years it was $2.99, I think it may have been raised to $3.99). Every year our principal would send a reminder of the law along with a list of suggestions for the classrooms, things like CD’s, books (along with each teacher’s wish list), art supplies (it seemed that every teacher wanted glitter, don’t ask me why), board games, puzzles, etc. My kids’ second grade teacher always played classical music in the classroom and she had a great collection from years of putting them on her wish list.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention: I have heard many times that the #1 gift a teacher cherishes is a note of thanks from a parent. Something personal about how your child has improved or grown in the classroom will be remembered and read long after the cookies are eaten, the spa visited, or the teacher’s retirement.</p>
<p>Actually I was looking for suggestions for D- between working full time @ the school- the hour+ commute each way & her homework - I don’t think she has time for shopping for staff even if she had money.(unlike TFA teachers- I do not think she is paid)
She did take care of her mentor teachers house & pets for a week though.</p>
<p>I think maybe I will send a note to my younger daughters teachers- & to the health clinic at her school- they have been pretty helpful this year.</p>
<p>I have a friend that is a teacher and she said she gets plenty of teacher knick nacks that have apples on them and stuff. She was like I don’t understand why everyone thinks that the teacher would want 50 things that have an apple on them, haha. I do know she buys all of her supplies (she buys “prizes” and stuff) out of her pocket. We all laugh when she makes her monthly trips to the dollar store. She jokes that she keeps them in business.</p>
<p>The gift I heard the most raves about was when I made a “take-out” dinner for all of D’s teachers and other favorite employees. I made chicken parmigiana and home made sauce. The deli section of the grocery store sold containers for 10 cents and small aluminum pans with covers came from Sam’s Club. Uncooked angel hair was wrapped in colored cellophane. I made enough for each member of their family and pasted heating instructions on the lid. 117 servings cost less than $100.</p>
<p>*She jokes that she keeps them in business. *</p>
<p>I wondered how they stay open.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>The gift I heard the most raves about was when I made a “take-out” dinner for all of D’s teachers and other favorite employees.</p>
<p>That sounds like a great idea.
One of D’s teachers had chemo & the parent group took supplying her with dinner for the year she underwent treatment. She joked she even gained weight while she was being treated for cancer.</p>