My son has had a really wonderful general ed teacher this year, and a pretty awful resource room teacher (actually, I pulled him out of the resource room last week). As the end of the year draws close, all parents thoughts turn toward appropriate teacher gifts. Since kindergarten, I have organized the class to make a gift for the teacher, to include something personal from each child. I’m out of ideas. Any great gifts you have gotten in the past that follow these lines?
Also, my husband and I would like to get the teacher a personal gift for all the help she has given us and our son this year. A generous gift certificate to a local teacher supply store?
I’ve already done the “she’s a wonderful teacher” letter to the superintendent, copied to all the right parties.
Thanks for any ideas!
Lil
Re: Teacher's gifts
how about a planter for the garden-maybe one that the kids have decorated?
the kind words mean so much to the teachers!
Re: Teacher's gifts
maybe you could organize the class to make a little scrapbook for the teacher. Each student could have their own page, maybe with a picture and they could write or dictate about an event/activity they liked this year, something they learned, and a personal note. I think any teacher would really treasure that. As for the gift certificate,that’s great. Might I suggest a certificate to a nearby department store, we teachers like to get personal gifts that we can spend on ourselves. We spend our lives at the local Staples and Office Depot.
Re: Teacher's gifts
Bookstore gift certificates (amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com would have the advantage of having a *vast* selection including professional titles).
Re: Teacher's gifts
One of the most meaningful gifts I got, and I now keep in my professional portfolio was also one of the simplest. Someone had made a simple template of a blank page (8.5 x 11) with the words already written on the top. It said “I remember when Mrs. ………………….. and on the bottom of the page there were 6 lines left for the student to fill in whatever they wanted. The children must have all been given the direction to choose activities, words or events which had some personal meaning to them. (An example: I remember when Mrs. M. stayed with me in the office waiting for my parents to come get me the day I cut my forehead open in the school yard). In the big blank area in the middle they all drew pictures to reflect their statement. The pages were handed out to each child in my class, and then gathered and bound into a little softcover book for me with spiral bound backing. I loved it, and each page was so highly personal. For each one I also had my own memories attached to the statements so there was a page rich with sentiment and emotion. It made me cry, and it’s such a simple idea.
Re: Teacher's gifts
Funny you should mention that one. It’s a great idea and the one we’ve been doing for the last three years! :)
Thanks
Thanks for all the great ideas! The message about a personal gift certificate came through loud and clear. :) You are absolutely right, thanks for the head’s up! The book from the students sounds cute, too - maybe we’ll try that one this year.
Lil
I’ve done the gift certificates in the past, they usually really appreciate them. I’ve also done a special book with an inscription from my son on the inside cover. That was a hit!