Gift cards to teachers. Why?

[Anonymous]

I want to start saying that I am not American and grew up in Europe. My kids go to private schools and we have been giving gift cards ($25-100) per teacher every year.

I am trying to understand why we do this. I do it because of peer pressure. All other parents/kids bring gift cards and I don’t want my kids to be the only ones that do not.

Why do other people in American do this? We have never done this in my home country. I think teachers (who are professionals) would be offended to receive a gift card.

I think a special gift or a home made card would be nice to show appreciation… money is offensive in my opinion. It seems to come from a “thanking the help” place and not a nice genuine desire to thank these professionals that teach our children.

Please don’t say that I don’t have to. I feel compelled to when everyone else does it.

[Anonymous]

I'm American and I have no idea. We didn't do this when I grew up.

I think it's ridiculous to expect families to pony up for teachers, specials teachers, aftercare teachers, support staff each for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, AND the end of the school year. I understand many teachers are underpaid, but both my spouse and I have worked at nonprofits and for the govt our entire careers and we don't get monetary bonuses. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm American and I have no idea. We didn't do this when I grew up.

I think it's ridiculous to expect families to pony up for teachers, specials teachers, aftercare teachers, support staff each for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, AND the end of the school year. I understand many teachers are underpaid, but both my spouse and I have worked at nonprofits and for the govt our entire careers and we don't get monetary bonuses. Ever.

So, if they are underpaid we are giving them charity?

[Anonymous]

Private school teachers are notoriously underpaid. That's why some people do it

[Anonymous]

So don't! I promise you, absolutely no one is keeping score. I taught for many many years, and the majority of families didn't give or the room parent would organize one class wide gift and I had no idea who did/didn't contribute. Please don't give out of a sense of obligation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private school teachers are notoriously underpaid. That's why some people do it

So it’s charity. The $500+ in gift cards they get will allow them to buy presents for their kids. I would be humiliated if I were a teacher and this is the reason parents give me gift cards.

[Anonymous]

I look at it as reimbursing the teacher for things they buy out of pocket for the classroom vs thanking the help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So don't! I promise you, absolutely no one is keeping score. I taught for many many years, and the majority of families didn't give or the room parent would organize one class wide gift and I had no idea who did/didn't contribute. Please don't give out of a sense of obligation.

That is not why I am asking. I am not complaining. I only seek to understand the reasons behind this American tradition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm American and I have no idea. We didn't do this when I grew up.

I think it's ridiculous to expect families to pony up for teachers, specials teachers, aftercare teachers, support staff each for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, AND the end of the school year. I understand many teachers are underpaid, but both my spouse and I have worked at nonprofits and for the govt our entire careers and we don't get monetary bonuses. Ever.

I don't think you can compare careers. My spouse is a teacher and it is so much more stressful dealing with 30 kids with different academic needs/challenges and different levels of maturity. I dare you or your husband to think of a plan ( or two) in case something goes wrong and then have five or six kids who are flagrantly trying to avoid work at all costs: breaking things, wrestling, asking to go to the bathroom, asking questions that have nothing to do with the topic and you only have 30 minutes to teach them because they will be tested at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So don't! I promise you, absolutely no one is keeping score. I taught for many many years, and the majority of families didn't give or the room parent would organize one class wide gift and I had no idea who did/didn't contribute. Please don't give out of a sense of obligation.

If only we could ignore these feelings but there is a lot of pressure. And to do it at this time of year makes me insane. I already am stretched financially.

[Anonymous]

I have loved all my kids’ teachers and make sure my kids write notes, cards and buy a small special gift from when we travel. We also have been giving teachers gift cards… but I don’t think I like the reasons behind it.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private school teachers are notoriously underpaid. That's why some people do it

So it’s charity. The $500+ in gift cards they get will allow them to buy presents for their kids. I would be humiliated if I were a teacher and this is the reason parents give me gift cards.

So if your boss gives you $500 you would be humiliated? What a strange response!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm American and I have no idea. We didn't do this when I grew up.

I think it's ridiculous to expect families to pony up for teachers, specials teachers, aftercare teachers, support staff each for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, AND the end of the school year. I understand many teachers are underpaid, but both my spouse and I have worked at nonprofits and for the govt our entire careers and we don't get monetary bonuses. Ever.

I don't think you can compare careers. My spouse is a teacher and it is so much more stressful dealing with 30 kids with different academic needs/challenges and different levels of maturity. I dare you or your husband to think of a plan ( or two) in case something goes wrong and then have five or six kids who are flagrantly trying to avoid work at all costs: breaking things, wrestling, asking to go to the bathroom, asking questions that have nothing to do with the topic and you only have 30 minutes to teach them because they will be tested at the end of the year.

It's not my job to compensate them appropriately. I support any and all efforts to raise wages. I come from a family of teachers so I don't need the lecture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm American and I have no idea. We didn't do this when I grew up.

I think it's ridiculous to expect families to pony up for teachers, specials teachers, aftercare teachers, support staff each for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week, AND the end of the school year. I understand many teachers are underpaid, but both my spouse and I have worked at nonprofits and for the govt our entire careers and we don't get monetary bonuses. Ever.

I don't think you can compare careers. My spouse is a teacher and it is so much more stressful dealing with 30 kids with different academic needs/challenges and different levels of maturity. I dare you or your husband to think of a plan ( or two) in case something goes wrong and then have five or six kids who are flagrantly trying to avoid work at all costs: breaking things, wrestling, asking to go to the bathroom, asking questions that have nothing to do with the topic and you only have 30 minutes to teach them because they will be tested at the end of the year.

Is your husband offended to get gift cards from parents?

Thanks,
OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I look at it as reimbursing the teacher for things they buy out of pocket for the classroom vs thanking the help.

This is how I look at it as well. Thus, I tend to get things like amazon and target gift cards where they can buy an assortment of things.

Separately, our classes typically have room parents who organize "class funds", which are used to give gifts throughout the year. If a class has that, I don't necessarily think one has to give anything.