Teachers and gifts-- it's just too much

Anonymous
I used to live in the DC area, now I'm in a different part of the U.S. and I hardly get any teacher gifts at all. We have one parent who will make cupcakes for the teachers at Christmas. There may be 1-2 students who will give lotion or something like that. That's it.

It seems to be a DC area thing,
Anonymous
I grew up long ago in another city. Public school. We always gave the teachers gifts at Christmas/Hanukkah and at the end of the year. If they were especially lovely people I giving some high quality art and cook books. Things that we would never have spent money on for ourselves.
Anonymous
The teachers at our preschool buy a year-end gift for their room moms, a scholastic book for every child at Christmas, probably spend just as much in thank you cards for their gift cards, and they hold a bake sale every year for our financial aid fund. They are completely generous and so wonderful to our children too. It compels me to give. If you don't feel that way at your school, then don't!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The teachers at our preschool buy a year-end gift for their room moms, a scholastic book for every child at Christmas, probably spend just as much in thank you cards for their gift cards, and they hold a bake sale every year for our financial aid fund. They are completely generous and so wonderful to our children too. It compels me to give. If you don't feel that way at your school, then don't!

07:43 again. What I didnt know them is how much stuff teachers provide for the classrooms. Some public schools just don't provide so much stuff that's used. Even in private schools where teachers are more likely to be reimbursed, they are still always picking something up... You are so right 07:47, for recognizing. It doesn't mean everyone owes them gifts. It's nice you recognize their efforts. Preschool teachers are rarely paid much.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So... don't participate. Really, what a weird thing to get riled up about.


I'm not riled. Just tired of it. I need a lawyer appreciation day! Someone get me a Starbucks gift card!


Don't many lawyers get things like paid maternity leave, and year end bonuses? If so, I'm happy to trade those for my gift card (this year I got $20 to Target).


You could have those things too if you went to law school. Instead you chose teaching. I don't owe you anything for yohr choice of profession. Btw I'm the op.


You don't me anything for my choice of profession, and I don't want your lousy gifts.
Anonymous
owe
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:owe


I don't owe you anything? You set up a fund dedicated to gifting yourself at the end of the year. So I do owe you something.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So... don't participate. Really, what a weird thing to get riled up about.


I'm not riled. Just tired of it. I need a lawyer appreciation day! Someone get me a Starbucks gift card!


Don't many lawyers get things like paid maternity leave, and year end bonuses? If so, I'm happy to trade those for my gift card (this year I got $20 to Target).


no. two kids and had to take time off unpaid (and I still responded to e-mails from client and stuff like that). the end year bonus is for people who manage to bill well above an already very high amount of hours, not very easy, at least in my practice

I don't agree with OP though, my kids are in DCPS and class parents usually gather money for a Christmas gift and one end of the year gift (participating is obviously not mandatory, the gift is in the name of the class regardless of who participated and who did not, parents can give the amount they want). during teacher appreciation week parents bring things for a breakfast (again, totally voluntary). I am often busy, donate through paypal, thanks with all my heart the parents who take time to take care of this and I am happy. If you don't want to donate, don't do it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:owe


I don't owe you anything? You set up a fund dedicated to gifting yourself at the end of the year. So I do owe you something.


18.44 here. are you saying that the teacher sets up a fund for the teacher's gift? that would be inappropriate IMO, but it definitely does not happen at our DCPS. all gifts are the initiative of the parents. class parents usually organize it, contact other parents, gather the money, get a card or something for the teacher. and the gift is given on behalf of the class, even if not everybody contributed and usually parents give different amounts. we have been at our DCPS 6 years now and each year this is how the gifts were handled
Anonymous
I don't get all the gifts either. When I was growing up, we loved and appreciated our teachers, but we never gave them store bought gifts, etc.

I have three kids who go to public school and I don't get the teachers gifts. I mean, they are public employees, the same as me (I am a public defender) and I don't think State employees should receive gifts frankly PLUS it is a bit weird if some families can't afford a gift. Their salaries are enough.

Anonymous
I just spent two endless days with my own energetic kids plus two more that we are caring for this weekend. I will give a Starbucks card to anyone who does this x30 every day and then has their job evaluated based on what the kids have actually learned!
Anonymous
Don't be sad when the more appreciative parent's kids get extra attention and seating preference
Anonymous
DCUM, HHI 350K
Teacher 50K
Complains about 5 dollar chocolates for valentines day, Priceless
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:owe


I don't owe you anything? You set up a fund dedicated to gifting yourself at the end of the year. So I do owe you something.


I did? What fund is that?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:DCUM, HHI 350K
Teacher 50K
Complains about 5 dollar chocolates for valentines day, Priceless


Right??

Why do teachers get ragged on so much? If all those teachers decided to become lawyers, who would teach the children that then become lawyers? I also don't get why lawyers have such a god complex. We are sooo important that we have to answer emails while we are in labor. I have to work 18 hour days because the world needs me or it will crumble to pieces if I leave the office at 5:30. Let me know when you start saving lives and I will let you know when I think lawyers are as important as they think they are.
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