High School Teachers: Do you get gifts from students?

[Anonymous]

What percentage of students give you gifts and what type? Do you suspect kids are giving to favorite teachers or all of them? In 7th grade my DD gave all her teachers a $10 gift card to a coffee shop near school. She did not notice many others doing giving any gifts. In 8th grade she was sick the last week of school and we did not do anything.

[Anonymous]

I’m a high school teacher. Not many at all give gifts. It’s not expected. I teach at an affluent school. Some years I get a few cards, handwritten. On any average year I some students give me homemade cookies or a small box of chocolate. I might get a couple small Starbucks, Amazon or similar gift cards but it’s not every year. Every few years a parent gives one for $50 to a restaurant. It’s rare and honestly, makes me uncomfortable to get that amount even through its very kind.

You don’t have to give a gift. A nice email at any time of the year is very much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

21:15 again and any gifts or cards that do come are usually the week before winter break.

[Anonymous]

We sometimes give, sometimes don't. If I do, I email them to teachers.

[Anonymous]

What?! We give $25 per teacher for Christmas and $25 at the end of the year. If we weren’t in good standing financially I wouldn’t give anything.

[Anonymous]

Would you gift an incompetent teacher who does nothing other than causing problems?
Common sense, please.

[Anonymous]

I usually get about a lot of gifts. These mainly consist of mugs, chocolate/candy, bags of Starbucks coffee (the kids know I will use this), and a few surprises. My most memorable gift came the Christmas after my cat died (I was so sad and told my students about her). A student ran up to me in the parking lot and demanded I come meet her mother. They had a little kitten for me in their car. Don't do this last one, but it was the best Christmas present I have ever had from anyone, ever.

I'm a high school English teacher. I think kids like my class, but I also write many letters of rec for college.

[Anonymous]

I’m a high school teacher. I tend to get 4-5 gift cards a year. I’m very appreciative, and I often use them to restock the classroom for the next semester. I usually get some nice cards, too.

My daughter is in high school. I usually ask her to select 3-4 teachers. She writes cards and I contribute a Target gift card (usually $25).