Gift card for teacher: How much is too much?

[Anonymous]

My DS attends a public school in VA. He had a difficult time adjusting to school in the beginning of the year, and his teacher went above and beyond to help him acclimate. We are planning to get her a gift card for the holidays, and I was wondering what amount would be appropriate. We were thinking $50, but we don't want it to seem like a bribe. We are just really grateful for all that she did for our son.

[Anonymous]

My sister is a 4th grade teacher. She said that $25-35 is appropriate in most cases but that handwritten notes are the best.

[Anonymous]

My ds has had incredible teachers K-2 and I always have a 100$ Visa gc to the core teachers and 50$ to the assistant/s.
This year my kid's teacher is just awful. She teaches the material but has very little rapport with her students/parents and comes across as very unlikeable. So this year I'm still giving the assistants the same gc amount as last year but will only be chipping in 5$ for a class gift.

[Anonymous]

I think giving a teacher anything worth money is seen as a bribe.

Why not a handmade craft instead?

[Anonymous]

I think anything upto $100 would be nice if you can afford it. My guess is you make more than a teacher or atleast sounds like you are willing to cut corners for something else and give this teacher an appropriate gift. I say go for it.
Signed - another mother who is greatful to the teachers and would give as much as we can afford along with a very sincere hand written note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister is a 4th grade teacher. She said that $25-35 is appropriate in most cases but that handwritten notes are the best.

Agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Could you do a $25 gc with a thoughtful personal small gift and card? That way it doesn't seem as obviously a large amount, but you also give something more personal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS attends a public school in VA. He had a difficult time adjusting to school in the beginning of the year, and his teacher went above and beyond to help him acclimate. We are planning to get her a gift card for the holidays, and I was wondering what amount would be appropriate. We were thinking $50, but we don't want it to seem like a bribe. We are just really grateful for all that she did for our son.

In this case, I don't think $50 is too much. And I'm sure you'll include a thoughtful, hand-written note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think giving a teacher anything worth money is seen as a bribe.

Why not a handmade craft instead?

Bribe or not, do you think a teacher really wants 20-30 handmade crafts every year? Let's face it, (most) teachers are undervalued and definitely underpaid. As nice as a homemade gift could be (especially if it came from the child), teachers would probably prefer/need the money. I'm not a teacher, so maybe I'm totally off-base, but if you are worried about the gift seeming like a bribe, you can always organize a "group" class gift card so the teacher doesn't know how much everyone (or even who) gave what.

[Anonymous]

I'd take the same amount of money towards a nice gift: like a really nice pen or a leather folio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd take the same amount of money towards a nice gift: like a really nice pen or a leather folio.

Every teacher I know prefers gift cards. I am also one who doesn't like clutter or extra calories so I totally agree. I'm not sure teachers are in the right profession for an expensive pen or folio.

OP, we've done $50 in the past and from a few friends they thought it was a lot, so I'm going with $25 this year. We've never had $50 cards returned, but the county policy is $25 limit and I don't want to make any teacher uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think giving a teacher anything worth money is seen as a bribe.

Why not a handmade craft instead?

I have five kids and the amount of handmade crafts overwhelms me. I can't imagine getting them from 30 students!

[Anonymous]

As a teacher I most enjoy people who write cards that show appreciation and talk about positive impacts of my teaching.

That to me is the most rewarding, you work hard day in and day out, and there are many hard days but knowing that you are making a difference and having people acknowledge that is what I value most.

Money and gift cards are always a little awkward. yes, I love having more money but I do often feel like those parents expect something in return. As though I should do more for their child than other kids or let more slide or not be as critical because they have given me money. For some parents this is why they give...other parents just give as a gift and forget about it and never associate it again with the teaching but as a teacher it is hard to know which parents fall into which group! I have had parents 4 months later refer to the money/gift they gave me at Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Once the kids hit elementary or are in a school where there's a limit, I'd think somewhere around $25-50 is appropriate.

At my child's preschool where I know the teachers are amazing but earn an hourly wage, we are giving each of her two teachers $100 gift cards and contributing probably $25 to the teacher gifts. That money is pooled and gifts are given to all teachers and staff schoolwide.

[Anonymous]

If I think the teacher has had an impact I'll $100, but it goes into the pool. I'ts more than most are giving and we dont get credit, but that doesnt bother me. Less impactful will get $25 - $50 into the pool