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Schools and Education General Discussion
If you really liked your child's elementary school teacher this year...
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Anonymous
| ...are you giving her a special gift at the end of the year beyond the class gift? If so, what? I'm thinking a $100 visa gift card but wondering if that's too much. |
Anonymous
I'm a high school teacher and I just received a $100 gift card from the parents of a graduating senior. While I appreciate the sentiment, it makes me feel uncomfortable - even though the student is graduating and there's no way that this will now influence the student's grades, acceptance to college, recommendation letter, etc. There are some schools where teachers are asked to gently refuse anything over $25, or things that can't be consumed. |
Anonymous
| Love my kid's teacher. But, I would not want to make her uncomfortable or put her in a weird position. Really nice box of Godiva? Heck yes. |
Anonymous
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Our teacher really went above and beyond this year, so I'm thinking of writing a letter to her principal letting her know how much we appreciate the teacher's hard work (and giving a copy to the teacher). I'll have my kid make her a card, too, and maybe a small Target/Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to spend on herself (or on classroom supplies if she prefers).
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Anonymous
Thanks for posting his. So far we've had great teachers and we typically give gift cards at the end of the year to a favorite restaurant or store we know the teacher likes. DH gets them but I think we usually do around $75 and we sometimes also get something we know they want/need for the classroom. I'd hate to make any teacher feel uncomfortable by this $ gesture. We're MCPS if that matters. |
Anonymous
| My son's 2nd grade teacher has been OUTSTANDING. I cannot begin to describe what this year has been like for him, both academically and socially. We are planning on writing a letter to the principal letting her know what an extraordinary year my son has had in this classroom (my son is going to add his own words), and we're going to make a donation in her name to an organization we know is dear to her heart. I think a direct gift would make her uncomfortable but I think the donation will mean a lot to her. |
Anonymous
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I'm a teacher. I think the idea of writing to the principal with a copy to the teacher is great. Too often school admins only hear about concerns; many parents thank the teachers but forget to pass on praise to the higher-ups.
As for chocolates, I am still working my way through the mountain of chocolate I received at Christmas! Parents who give gift cards usually give $25 or occasionally $50 from a national bookstore chain. I appreciate being able to buy books related to my teaching with these gifts. I treasure the notes and cards from my students letting me know I made a difference. I keep them forever and enjoy rereading them years later... they are a happy boost any time I read them but especially if I've had a frustrating day or stretch of time and start to wonder if it's time for a career change... |
Anonymous
| I do $25 Target gift cards for our teachers. I think anything more gets a bit questionable for all parties. We're in FCPS, FWIW. |
Anonymous
I gave a $100 visa card to the PS teacher that made my DS's experience amazing over the past year. And I've given $100 gift cards in the past to the teachers that really made a difference. One gave me an almost painful hug and had tears in her eyes. Never has a teacher seemed embarrased at the gift. My kids are ending the year, so it's not like I am bribing them for anything- I just want to give my heart felt thanks that they made a huge difference in my kids' lives - and that then makes my life so much better.  I plan on giving the same this year to my kids' K and 3rd grade teachers (and given that we moved our kids from private to public this past year, for non-financial reasons but I am still loving the almost 55K in savings, a $100 gift card at the end of the year does not seem extravagant). We're in FCPS.
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Anonymous
| In DCPS, we had an end of year collection. On average parents contributed about $100 each meaning that the teacher got about $2k. Never thought this was extravagant. Now, reading these posts, not sure. |
Anonymous
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WOW! Public school and the kids all contribute $100 each????
I'm in FCPS and we are asking each child to donate $5 so that there is a $100 gift card from the whole class. (We don't even get everyone to participate at this level). I can see a $25 individual gift, but I would never think it appropriate to give $100 mostly b/c it would look like I was throwing money at the teacher far above what others in the class are doing. |
Anonymous
| I think if you are really pleased with the teacher and you want to give her $100, then do it. And for those that want to give less or more, then that's fine. We gave our dd's k teacher a $50 gift card and the other ones $25 and all were very appreciative. |
Anonymous
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My dc has been in school for 3 years. We've never been approached by anyone who was taking up a collection for a class gift. I just assumed it was individual gifts or none at all.
For preschool, I gave the teacher $100 gift card. She was leaving the school to pursue her graduate degree and she was a fantastic educator. I gave the teaching assistant a $25 gift card. For Prek4, I gave the teacher and assistant $20 gift cards and knew I spent $38 too much on them. Ugh. They were so bad, we transferred schools as a result. This year, both co-teachers received $50 gift cards. Great school, great teachers, and I can't wait until the fall. |
Anonymous
| I'm a teacher (in a well respected independent school in the DC suburbs), and giftcards for $100 are not unusual and do not make me uncomfortable. I certainly don't expect them, and I'm always thrilled with a sweet note. |