Has teacher appreciation week gotten out of hand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS teacher here. Teacher appreciation week is unacknowledged by our school and students. This attitude doesn't bother me at all. I would much rather people seriously discuss pay raises and perception of teachers (e.g., I feel that teachers should be viewed in the same company as doctors, lawyers, engineers rather than nurses, firefighters, police officers. Changing that uniquely American perspective would attract more people to the profession. But I digress...)

My kids are in elementary school. Every year, I get a flyer talking about teacher appreciation week, and I promptly recycle it. I don't mind if others want to throw a little party for the elementary school staff or give them something each and every day during the week, as long as these others don't pressure me to get involved or call me "lazy-ass."

Teachers are not equal to doctors, lawyers and engineers and are paid more than other professions, such as police officers and social workers. I don't get why teachers want to be put on a pedestal for doing their job. Teachers get plenty of perks and our local school systems pay very well compared to others. It is a public gov't job.

Agree, they get paid about the same as I do as a nurse and I work weekends, holidays, all summers, have had my arm broken by a drug addict, puked on, urinated on, disimpacted elderly, changed colostomy bags, been yelled out by patients, doctors, family members, worked 30+ hours in a row in snowstorms, and usually never get a lunch break on a normal 13hr shift. But I didn't pick my job for the money. I have held hands with people as they die alone and scared. I have helped many people in many years, just as teachers help kids and that is why I am a nurse. I would never be able to like or live with myself if I was a lawyer. I may have more money but I sure wouldn't be happy. I don't demand a doctor pay scale because I didn't go thru the years of schooling they did, nor do I want that pressure for myself.

Teachers work hard no doubt but they get paid well here and have A LOT of vacation days a year. They get to spend every summer and holiday with their kids. I think there may only be 10 weeks a year, they are working 5 full days. It is very hard to appreciate the ones that feel entitled to more like the above poster.

NP and former preschool teacher here, while it does sound like there are schools that have gone overboard- it seems there is something major you have have missed here- and that is this is a learning opportunity, hence why it is popular in preschool and elementary school. We are teaching your children to appreciate the people who they deal with on a regular basis. That is why it is mostly small simple gestures your children can participate and understand. It isn't about the gifts and making sure the teachers get theirs, just like when we spend time on Mothers day gifts in the classroom, it isn't about the gifts!!

Well then if that were the case, why don't they carve out 15 minutes one day and have all the kids right a letter of appreciation to the teacher? That would take care of it right there. Instead, some schools (at least mine) selects specific types of gifts for specific days. Who do you think actually purchases those gifts? Parents!! It seems simple on the surface, I know. Bring in a flower for your teacher, you can pick it from your garden. What if you don't have a garden or flowers or a yard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS teacher here. Teacher appreciation week is unacknowledged by our school and students. This attitude doesn't bother me at all. I would much rather people seriously discuss pay raises and perception of teachers (e.g., I feel that teachers should be viewed in the same company as doctors, lawyers, engineers rather than nurses, firefighters, police officers. Changing that uniquely American perspective would attract more people to the profession. But I digress...)

My kids are in elementary school. Every year, I get a flyer talking about teacher appreciation week, and I promptly recycle it. I don't mind if others want to throw a little party for the elementary school staff or give them something each and every day during the week, as long as these others don't pressure me to get involved or call me "lazy-ass."

Teachers are not equal to doctors, lawyers and engineers and are paid more than other professions, such as police officers and social workers. I don't get why teachers want to be put on a pedestal for doing their job. Teachers get plenty of perks and our local school systems pay very well compared to others. It is a public gov't job.

Agree, they get paid about the same as I do as a nurse and I work weekends, holidays, all summers, have had my arm broken by a drug addict, puked on, urinated on, disimpacted elderly, changed colostomy bags, been yelled out by patients, doctors, family members, worked 30+ hours in a row in snowstorms, and usually never get a lunch break on a normal 13hr shift. But I didn't pick my job for the money. I have held hands with people as they die alone and scared. I have helped many people in many years, just as teachers help kids and that is why I am a nurse. I would never be able to like or live with myself if I was a lawyer. I may have more money but I sure wouldn't be happy. I don't demand a doctor pay scale because I didn't go thru the years of schooling they did, nor do I want that pressure for myself.

Teachers work hard no doubt but they get paid well here and have A LOT of vacation days a year. They get to spend every summer and holiday with their kids. I think there may only be 10 weeks a year, they are working 5 full days. It is very hard to appreciate the ones that feel entitled to more like the above poster.

NP and former preschool teacher here, while it does sound like there are schools that have gone overboard- it seems there is something major you have have missed here- and that is this is a learning opportunity, hence why it is popular in preschool and elementary school. We are teaching your children to appreciate the people who they deal with on a regular basis. That is why it is mostly small simple gestures your children can participate and understand. It isn't about the gifts and making sure the teachers get theirs, just like when we spend time on Mothers day gifts in the classroom, it isn't about the gifts!!

Well then if that were the case, why don't they carve out 15 minutes one day and have all the kids right a letter of appreciation to the teacher? That would take care of it right there. Instead, some schools (at least mine) selects specific types of gifts for specific days. Who do you think actually purchases those gifts? Parents!! It seems simple on the surface, I know. Bring in a flower for your teacher, you can pick it from your garden. What if you don't have a garden or flowers or a yard?

Then don't do it, it is really that simple

[Anonymous]

^I will also add, I came from a preschool background. We would spend a lot of classroom time discussing these types of events, like Mothers Day and Fathers day and the like. Create cards and crafts thinking about why you appreciate your mom, or you dad and other family members.

I don't agree with your suggestion of having the teachers take time to have the children write the note- but if you would like to with your child during homework time- that would be above and beyond what the teachers would expect and make them feel appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know teachers are underappreciated and they do very important work for little compensation, but I don't remember there ever being even a teacher appreciation day in the past, and now it's a whole week and we're supposed to bring something every day?! Are we really expected to participate in every day of the whole week? Everything these days seems so over the top, whether it's Christmas, birthday parties, and now this.

At our school there is something simple every day but not everyone contributes everyday. There is a sign-up-genius with about 40 slots to fill for a school of 550 students. Sadly, most lazy-ass parents don't have time to fill in one slot and it sounds like you are one of them - and complaining to boot.

A lot of lazy-ass parents have full time jobs in addition to other duties of which you might know nothing. Stop judging others and worry about yourself.

Yes, this attitude (any parent who does not do something is lazy) is the reason the OP is complaining. These things are sold as volunteer, but then the judgement starts if people cannot contribute.

I think our school does a good job. There is only one day the kids need to do something, and it is bring flowers, and they always have extra in case some kids or parents forget or can't do it.

I hate crap like this. Every event gets blown up into something big, and this is just a symptom. I hate that I'm supposed to remember random PTA-generated crap every day for a week. I don't think "supporting" teachers means buying them bagels and mani/pedis and flowers. I'm more than happy to buy extra classroom supplies, which I think is actually supporting them in their so they don't have to use their own money. If you think that makes me lazy, fine. I really don't care.

[Anonymous]

What really annoys me about teacher appreciation week is that at our school it comes right before Mother's Day. Like, is it REALLY necessary for me to spend the week before Mother's Day obviating myself? Can't I just have a day celebrating me without first having to pay this whole week to someone else?

I would actually be totally down with having a whole week of teacher appreciation. Teachers work hard and deserve our respect, and I don't mind sending in supplies and working with my kids to write notes. I just don't want it to be right before Mother's Day. It's weird line blurring. Teachers are not the same as moms, and I'd like to just have my own day without someone who is ultimately less important to my kids getting the whole week dedicated to them right before.

Maybe that's selfish? It just rubs me the wrong way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What really annoys me about teacher appreciation week is that at our school it comes right before Mother's Day. Like, is it REALLY necessary for me to spend the week before Mother's Day obviating myself? Can't I just have a day celebrating me without first having to pay this whole week to someone else?

I would actually be totally down with having a whole week of teacher appreciation. Teachers work hard and deserve our respect, and I don't mind sending in supplies and working with my kids to write notes. I just don't want it to be right before Mother's Day. It's weird line blurring. Teachers are not the same as moms, and I'd like to just have my own day without someone who is ultimately less important to my kids getting the whole week dedicated to them right before.

Maybe that's selfish? It just rubs me the wrong way.

You are absolutely right. You should petition the teachers to change their day of recognition. It actually is just one day. The PTAs have turned it into a week long celebration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
What really annoys me about teacher appreciation week is that at our school it comes right before Mother's Day. Like, is it REALLY necessary for me to spend the week before Mother's Day obviating myself? Can't I just have a day celebrating me without first having to pay this whole week to someone else?

I would actually be totally down with having a whole week of teacher appreciation. Teachers work hard and deserve our respect, and I don't mind sending in supplies and working with my kids to write notes. I just don't want it to be right before Mother's Day. It's weird line blurring. Teachers are not the same as moms, and I'd like to just have my own day without someone who is ultimately less important to my kids getting the whole week dedicated to them right before.

Maybe that's selfish? It just rubs me the wrong way.

You are absolutely right. You should petition the teachers to change their day of recognition. It actually is just one day. The PTAs have turned it into a week long celebration.

This is hilarious. Do you honestly think THE TEACHERS are in charge of the school? That they set the policy for such things? They are not---they are hard-working people who are routinely bullied by their principals AND the parents. It is a truly thankless job.
If you don't want to thank them for helping your kids, DON'T. No one is making you. In fact, I hope you don't, because I'd hate to think that the thanks I might get next week is only under duress.

Teachers like me will continue to spend about $1,000 a year on my classroom...without so much as one tissue box coming in from a student....because that's what professionals do. I love my students, and I will make sure they get what they need.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if there are different expectations for daycares because the teachers don't get all those vacation days and they seem to be underpaid.

Today the head teacher in my son's classroom re-sent, twice, the email on teacher's appreciation week that went out to all parents, with minor changes to the email at the end to specify exactly 5 "appreciations" (for each day of the week ) that they'd like and that we can please feel free to ask them any questions. I do appreciate the teachers and am happy to express my appreciation but this email really was too much for me. They left out things like hand written cards but made sure to include breakfast, lunch, gift card/cash (really, cash?), sweets and early pickup (with specified time). She gave examples of places where they'd like lunch from.

I don't know. This really struck a nerve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
What really annoys me about teacher appreciation week is that at our school it comes right before Mother's Day. Like, is it REALLY necessary for me to spend the week before Mother's Day obviating myself? Can't I just have a day celebrating me without first having to pay this whole week to someone else?

I would actually be totally down with having a whole week of teacher appreciation. Teachers work hard and deserve our respect, and I don't mind sending in supplies and working with my kids to write notes. I just don't want it to be right before Mother's Day. It's weird line blurring. Teachers are not the same as moms, and I'd like to just have my own day without someone who is ultimately less important to my kids getting the whole week dedicated to them right before.

Maybe that's selfish? It just rubs me the wrong way.

You are absolutely right. You should petition the teachers to change their day of recognition. It actually is just one day. The PTAs have turned it into a week long celebration.

This is hilarious. Do you honestly think THE TEACHERS are in charge of the school? That they set the policy for such things? They are not---they are hard-working people who are routinely bullied by their principals AND the parents. It is a truly thankless job.
If you don't want to thank them for helping your kids, DON'T. No one is making you. In fact, I hope you don't, because I'd hate to think that the thanks I might get next week is only under duress.

Teachers like me will continue to spend about $1,000 a year on my classroom...without so much as one tissue box coming in from a student....because that's what professionals do. I love my students, and I will make sure they get what they need.


I was being sarcastic PP. I am a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HS teacher here. Teacher appreciation week is unacknowledged by our school and students. This attitude doesn't bother me at all. I would much rather people seriously discuss pay raises and perception of teachers (e.g., I feel that teachers should be viewed in the same company as doctors, lawyers, engineers rather than nurses, firefighters, police officers. Changing that uniquely American perspective would attract more people to the profession. But I digress...)

My kids are in elementary school. Every year, I get a flyer talking about teacher appreciation week, and I promptly recycle it. I don't mind if others want to throw a little party for the elementary school staff or give them something each and every day during the week, as long as these others don't pressure me to get involved or call me "lazy-ass."

Teachers are not equal to doctors, lawyers and engineers and are paid more than other professions, such as police officers and social workers. I don't get why teachers want to be put on a pedestal for doing their job. Teachers get plenty of perks and our local school systems pay very well compared to others. It is a public gov't job.

In other countries, teachers are equated with doctors and engineers and other "impressive" jobs. Therefore, the teaching profession attracts a lot of prime candidates. The school systems get to pick the best. They do not tolerate bad teachers. In the U.S., there is a stigma attached to teaching. "Oh, you work as a teacher! That's so noble of you. Is it nice having the summers off?" It is kind of like the military. We "honor" them all over the place, but we do not want our sons and daughters to go into the armed services. We judge people by their careers... when asked to compare a firefighter and an engineer, which one would you assume was the more intelligent one? It is not right, but that is the way it is.

Your average high-flying academically successful high school graduate is much more likely to choose a different career path than teaching. For one, it is not easy to support a family on a teacher's salary. Plus, they would probably rather be admired as a doctor than looked down upon as a teacher.

Sadly, that is just the way it is in our country.

+1 I agree with this perspective. The teaching profession does not necessarily attract the best of the best. It is embarrassingly sad when you consider the number of potential teachers who struggle with the math portion of the Praxis test (a test required for teaching certification). How can we expect teachers to correctly teach our children mathematics when they do not understand it well themselves?

I rocked the math portion of the Praxis (as well as the reading and writing portions). However, after 12 years of teaching primary grades, I would have to do some serious studying if I ever had to retake those tests. If I had to teach sixth grade math at this point, I'd need to hit the books big time!

[Anonymous]

It's been too much for a long time at our public elementary. I lost respect for the administration that they didn't keep it in check. Unprofessional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know teachers are underappreciated and they do very important work for little compensation, but I don't remember there ever being even a teacher appreciation day in the past, and now it's a whole week and we're supposed to bring something every day?! Are we really expected to participate in every day of the whole week? Everything these days seems so over the top, whether it's Christmas, birthday parties, and now this.

At our school there is something simple every day but not everyone contributes everyday. There is a sign-up-genius with about 40 slots to fill for a school of 550 students. Sadly, most lazy-ass parents don't have time to fill in one slot and it sounds like you are one of them - and complaining to boot.

A lot of lazy-ass parents have full time jobs in addition to other duties of which you might know nothing. Stop judging others and worry about yourself.

Yes, this attitude (any parent who does not do something is lazy) is the reason the OP is complaining. These things are sold as volunteer, but then the judgement starts if people cannot contribute.

I think our school does a good job. There is only one day the kids need to do something, and it is bring flowers, and they always have extra in case some kids or parents forget or can't do it.

I hate crap like this. Every event gets blown up into something big, and this is just a symptom. I hate that I'm supposed to remember random PTA-generated crap every day for a week. I don't think "supporting" teachers means buying them bagels and mani/pedis and flowers. I'm more than happy to buy extra classroom supplies, which I think is actually supporting them in their so they don't have to use their own money. If you think that makes me lazy, fine. I really don't care.

Ours has multiple days - a sweet treat one day (how many does one teacher need?), classroom supplies (I regularly do it when I get them really cheap), and another gift of flowers or something else, I forget. Not everyone can afford it and it makes parents who cannot uncomfortable. Enough is enough. One morning of organizing breakfast or treat, fine (ours has several days of food as well).... they are doing the job they are paid for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The average teacher spends $700 of his/her own money on the classroom.

In my profession I have spent close to $2k of my own money on items needed.

+1

I am a home nurse and have to buy my own scrubs, shoes, stethoscope and supplies. I usually bring food to the patients I know aren't eating well or who can't cook warm meals. Magazines and newspapers too. Not to mention wear and tear on my car. I can't even begin to think how much money I put in. I think many professions do but most don't complain about it.

This is like saying "I am an attorney and I buy my own suits, briefcase and hose. I usually bring a Starbucks to my assistance and a bagel, too." Not at all the same as the cash teacher spend for their students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The average teacher spends $700 of his/her own money on the classroom.

In my profession I have spent close to $2k of my own money on items needed.

+1

I am a home nurse and have to buy my own scrubs, shoes, stethoscope and supplies. I usually bring food to the patients I know aren't eating well or who can't cook warm meals. Magazines and newspapers too. Not to mention wear and tear on my car. I can't even begin to think how much money I put in. I think many professions do but most don't complain about it.

This is like saying "I am an attorney and I buy my own suits, briefcase and hose. I usually bring a Starbucks to my assistance and a bagel, too." Not at all the same as the cash teacher spend for their students

No, it's just like a teacher buying supplies for her class. The nurse buys her own personal supplies, as well as food, magazines, and newspapers for her patients. That's money out of her own pocket.

[Anonymous]

But her patients don't need those things. Magazines, etc are nice to have. I buy supplies for my students because they actually need them. It's hard to work without pencils, paper/notebooks, glue sticks, scissors, etc.