Stop with the gift cards!

[Anonymous]

Imagine being OP.

In the time it took you to write this stupid post, you could have brought the gift cards down to the local fire station to give the hardworking, brave firefighters a little treat. Some of them are volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Easier to pack up and take home at the end of the year.
Easier to swap with others teachers.
Easier to regift.
They don't end up in garbage or thrift stores.
Not time consuming for parents.

Yes, the notes are treasured for many years afterwards.

[Anonymous]

I teach at college and I rarely receive giftcard. On the few occasions I have, it felt very awkward. I really appreciate those handwritten notes, they always brighten my day and made my happy.

As a parent, I occasionally send small amount of giftcard for my child's favorite teacher as a token of appreciation, it is convenient and easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

Different teacher here. This teacher is not the majority. I appreciate any token of thanks. I think most people know how hard it is to be a teacher monetarily in this area. I give gift cards to my son’s daycare teachers. I am just as happy with a thoughtful card which I save. I think it is the thought that counts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach at college and I rarely receive giftcard. On the few occasions I have, it felt very awkward. I really appreciate those handwritten notes, they always brighten my day and made my happy.

As a parent, I occasionally send small amount of giftcard for my child's favorite teacher as a token of appreciation, it is convenient and easy.

My point exactly! A handwritten note or email from a parent or a student brightens my day! Gift card makes me feel awkward at best. After today’s reaction from parents here, those gift cards make me feel disrespected.
OP

[Anonymous]

I don’t open any gifts until well after the student has left. Both gift cards and handwritten notes are nice. Mugs are shit.

[Anonymous]

The regulation used to read anything over $100 is supposed to be returned. Now it just says to limit the total gifts to $50/employee per family/year.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/C4EL6F55029D/$file/P4430.pdf

Please don’t put teachers in that awkward situation, especially if there is a chance I’ll have your child again for a higher level class or teach the younger sibling next year. $10-20 if you must, but $100+ very much feels like a bribe.

I’m not ungrateful, it is just extremely awkward. The best gift you could give me is a note of appreciation.

—non TJ teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why this is in the AAP thread, but you know who also deserves the GC, the bus drivers who get your kids to and from school everyday, the crossing guard, who is outside in all types of weather. Don't forget them!

And custodians and specials teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The regulation used to read anything over $100 is supposed to be returned. Now it just says to limit the total gifts to $50/employee per family/year.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/C4EL6F55029D/$file/P4430.pdf

Please don’t put teachers in that awkward situation, especially if there is a chance I’ll have your child again for a higher level class or teach the younger sibling next year. $10-20 if you must, but $100+ very much feels like a bribe.

I’m not ungrateful, it is just extremely awkward. The best gift you could give me is a note of appreciation.

—non TJ teacher

Thank you for posting this!!

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

I'm an OOSer, but I think this is an accurate take.

Teacher, if you're uncomfortable with the money, I'd suggest spending it back on the classroom or school. To improve something that bugs you or to buy a classroom resource that is a luxury item.

TJ has a national reputation but surely there's something that could be done better?

We read a lot about how terribly teachers are treated. It makes people want to help the teachers close to them.

I would like to give my kid's teachers gift cards but it is strange where I live. So, I helped set up the faculty lounge for teacher appreciation week and I did write personal notes at Christmas.

If nothing else, you could spend the funds at Donors Choose.

Thanks for helping kids realize their potential!

[Anonymous]

Hi- parent here. I don’t expect a thank you back. The gift card and letter were our thank you to you.

I hate gift cards at the beginning of the year, or even for Christmas because it feels like bribery. But end of the year is just thanking the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

Different teacher here. This teacher is not the majority. I appreciate any token of thanks. I think most people know how hard it is to be a teacher monetarily in this area. I give gift cards to my son’s daycare teachers. I am just as happy with a thoughtful card which I save. I think it is the thought that counts.

Yes, this. And of course you write thank you notes OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach at college and I rarely receive giftcard. On the few occasions I have, it felt very awkward. I really appreciate those handwritten notes, they always brighten my day and made my happy.

As a parent, I occasionally send small amount of giftcard for my child's favorite teacher as a token of appreciation, it is convenient and easy.

That’s because college professors are paid and treated like professionals. These teachers are treated like babies by the school board and state. They have so many ridiculous standardized tests and extras. They wish they could just teach like professors.

[Anonymous]

Wait, FCPS teachers CONSTANTLY complain about being under paid and whine about no raises, but then you have a problem with a gifted $200 gift card from a student?

The parents probably think you deserve more than your meager salary and doing what they can to help you get by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

Different teacher here. This teacher is not the majority. I appreciate any token of thanks. I think most people know how hard it is to be a teacher monetarily in this area. I give gift cards to my son’s daycare teachers. I am just as happy with a thoughtful card which I save. I think it is the thought that counts.

Yes, this. And of course you write thank you notes OP!

No. You definitely don’t have to write thank you notes for the gift cards. The gift cards are a thank you note from the family.