buy your teacher a nice end of the school year gift please!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

Oh yes, the “summers off” statement. When you work 60+ hours a week at a job that provides absolutely no down time and no flexibility, those UNPAID summers become the only break you get.

And many of us end up working job #2. It’s not like we are lazing around the pool.

And on topic: please don’t get me anything. I’m a professional and I’m simply doing my job.

Sorry, this still doesn't fly. You have multiple long weekends, 1-2 week winter break, federal holidays, 1 week spring break -- all during your PAID months of the year. And while you will likely say you are still working during all of those days off, don't expect us to believe all or even most teachers are. For "no flexibility" and "no down time," there are an awful lot of teachers MIA the last weeks of the school year.

Teachers don't seem to realize or acknowledge that there are a lot of other professions in which people work 60+ hours a week YEAR ROUND and don't get every Federal and religious holiday and two weeks around Christmas/New Year's. Paid leave benefits vary widely. Fed Gov't is very generous. Some private companies, extremely stingy - literally 5 vacation days and 5 personal days (which includes sick leave) even with 20+ years work experience.

If teachers have such generous benefits, then why aren’t all the DCUM complainers applying to teach? That would easily take care of the teacher shortage in the region.

I’m guessing that’s because complainers have most or all of the following: better pay, more flexibility, a better work/life balance, calmer working environments, and more professional respect.

For as good as you want it to sound, I simply don’t see people jumping at the chance to teach. It’s almost like people know it’s not a good deal?

There are various reasons a lot of people aren't interested in teaching. For me, the primary reason is because I would suck at being a teacher. Good teaching is HARD and not all that many people are really great at it. I don't want teachers for the sake of filling positions. I want people who want to teach and who are good at their job - just like every employer wants employees who want to be there and are good at what they're expected to do.

I am one of those great teachers. I am very, very good at what I do. I’m the teacher who gets all the parent requests each year. Guess how I am treated? Just like the ones with poor performance.

I’m ready to leave, and I know nobody really cares. The PP wants “people who want to teach” (like me), but isn’t willing to see how the profession needs to change to keep us here.

Honest question - what do you expect parents to do about it? It's not like the higher ups listen to us either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t teacher appreciation very recent?

If we did gift cards then should we do them again now?

Planning to send a note either way.

Not only was Teacher Appreciation very recent, Teacher Appreciation wasn’t too far off from the winter holidays, which wasn’t too far off from the beginning of the school year.

So, I gave gifts for:
Beginning of year (personal gifts AND Amazon Wish List items for the classroom)
General set-up-the-classroom requests for tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels, etc., at start of and throughout year
Winter holiday gifts
Teacher appreciation gifts
End of year gifts

Plus contributions to PTA-sponsored breakfasts, lunches, gift card draws, supply donation drives, coffee carts…

Thank you, but it really isn’t necessary.

If contributing to these school events causes some form of resentment, then please don’t do it.

Plenty of teachers here have said the gifts aren’t necessary.

The problem with giving gifts is that everyone else (who are usually receive less compensation than teachers) get left out. Who gives gifts to the cafeteria/janitorial staff, your SLPs, aides, crossing guards, and administrative staff that aren't front end? It creates real resentment with them when they see teachers being rained on, particularly in North Arlington where gift-giving limits are regularly ignored.

I don't know what the answer is, but gift giving is optional and no one should be shamed into it.

I agree with this. I am one who always gives gifts, including to the crossing guard, bus driver, SLP etc. But these gifts really add up when your kids have so many teachers/staff members who work with them. I don't want other parents to feel pressured into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wasn’t teacher appreciation very recent?

If we did gift cards then should we do them again now?

Planning to send a note either way.

Not only was Teacher Appreciation very recent, Teacher Appreciation wasn’t too far off from the winter holidays, which wasn’t too far off from the beginning of the school year.

So, I gave gifts for:
Beginning of year (personal gifts AND Amazon Wish List items for the classroom)
General set-up-the-classroom requests for tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels, etc., at start of and throughout year
Winter holiday gifts
Teacher appreciation gifts
End of year gifts

Plus contributions to PTA-sponsored breakfasts, lunches, gift card draws, supply donation drives, coffee carts…

Thank you, but it really isn’t necessary.

If contributing to these school events causes some form of resentment, then please don’t do it.

Plenty of teachers here have said the gifts aren’t necessary.

The problem with giving gifts is that everyone else (who are usually receive less compensation than teachers) get left out. Who gives gifts to the cafeteria/janitorial staff, your SLPs, aides, crossing guards, and administrative staff that aren't front end? It creates real resentment with them when they see teachers being rained on, particularly in North Arlington where gift-giving limits are regularly ignored.

I don't know what the answer is, but gift giving is optional and no one should be shamed into it.

I agree with this. I am one who always gives gifts, including to the crossing guard, bus driver, SLP etc. But these gifts really add up when your kids have so many teachers/staff members who work with them. I don't want other parents to feel pressured into it.

I try my best to recognize everyone throughout the year, best way I have figured is $10 Starbucks gift cards three times a year to literally everyone (janitorial staff, crossing guard, admins inculded), and then inevitably teachers on here say don’t do Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

I always give gift cards, either Amazon, Target or S'bux. I have a relative who is a teacher, they threw out all baked goods and had not use for cutesy mugs, lotions etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

Oh yes, the “summers off” statement. When you work 60+ hours a week at a job that provides absolutely no down time and no flexibility, those UNPAID summers become the only break you get.

And many of us end up working job #2. It’s not like we are lazing around the pool.

And on topic: please don’t get me anything. I’m a professional and I’m simply doing my job.

Sorry, this still doesn't fly. You have multiple long weekends, 1-2 week winter break, federal holidays, 1 week spring break -- all during your PAID months of the year. And while you will likely say you are still working during all of those days off, don't expect us to believe all or even most teachers are. For "no flexibility" and "no down time," there are an awful lot of teachers MIA the last weeks of the school year.

Teachers don't seem to realize or acknowledge that there are a lot of other professions in which people work 60+ hours a week YEAR ROUND and don't get every Federal and religious holiday and two weeks around Christmas/New Year's. Paid leave benefits vary widely. Fed Gov't is very generous. Some private companies, extremely stingy - literally 5 vacation days and 5 personal days (which includes sick leave) even with 20+ years work experience.

If teachers have such generous benefits, then why aren’t all the DCUM complainers applying to teach? That would easily take care of the teacher shortage in the region.

I’m guessing that’s because complainers have most or all of the following: better pay, more flexibility, a better work/life balance, calmer working environments, and more professional respect.

For as good as you want it to sound, I simply don’t see people jumping at the chance to teach. It’s almost like people know it’s not a good deal?

There are various reasons a lot of people aren't interested in teaching. For me, the primary reason is because I would suck at being a teacher. Good teaching is HARD and not all that many people are really great at it. I don't want teachers for the sake of filling positions. I want people who want to teach and who are good at their job - just like every employer wants employees who want to be there and are good at what they're expected to do.

I am one of those great teachers. I am very, very good at what I do. I’m the teacher who gets all the parent requests each year. Guess how I am treated? Just like the ones with poor performance.

I’m ready to leave, and I know nobody really cares. The PP wants “people who want to teach” (like me), but isn’t willing to see how the profession needs to change to keep us here.

Honest question - what do you expect parents to do about it? It's not like the higher ups listen to us either.

If I post on DCUM about the challenges that are leading to the teacher exodus, I’m immediately dismissed as a complainer who should quit. No, I just want people to understand why I’ve lost 2/3 of my department in the past 3 years.

I don’t want to leave quite yet. I want to fix what can be fixed, like the extraneous work placed on teachers that keeps us from doing more important tasks. If we could gain back a bit of our daytime, we could make this job more sustainable.

So I suppose the answer is to trust me. I have good intentions and simply want to see teachers stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe some of these comments.

I gave $25 for the main teachers before winter break, snacks and drinks during teacher appreciation week and last week $25 to some teachers and staff that have made a difference in m child’s life. I also contribute to teachers birthday/class appreciation class gifts and PTA sponsored teacher appreciation events.

I will do it all again next year. If you want to give something do it, if you don’t, don’t.

I could not do what these teachers do and appreciate it. Some have gone above and beyond to help my child.

A post is not going to change how people feel. YOU DO YOU!

Those things aren't the issue. OP is asking for us to contribute yet again with an end-of-year gift. How many times should a parent be expected to contribute to some type of teacher "thank you?" Staff appreciation week should cover it. If individuals want to do more to acknowledge a particularly good or special teacher, great. Stop the multiple blanket requests of everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

Oh yes, the “summers off” statement. When you work 60+ hours a week at a job that provides absolutely no down time and no flexibility, those UNPAID summers become the only break you get.

And many of us end up working job #2. It’s not like we are lazing around the pool.

And on topic: please don’t get me anything. I’m a professional and I’m simply doing my job.

Sorry, this still doesn't fly. You have multiple long weekends, 1-2 week winter break, federal holidays, 1 week spring break -- all during your PAID months of the year. And while you will likely say you are still working during all of those days off, don't expect us to believe all or even most teachers are. For "no flexibility" and "no down time," there are an awful lot of teachers MIA the last weeks of the school year.

Teachers don't seem to realize or acknowledge that there are a lot of other professions in which people work 60+ hours a week YEAR ROUND and don't get every Federal and religious holiday and two weeks around Christmas/New Year's. Paid leave benefits vary widely. Fed Gov't is very generous. Some private companies, extremely stingy - literally 5 vacation days and 5 personal days (which includes sick leave) even with 20+ years work experience.

If teachers have such generous benefits, then why aren’t all the DCUM complainers applying to teach? That would easily take care of the teacher shortage in the region.

I’m guessing that’s because complainers have most or all of the following: better pay, more flexibility, a better work/life balance, calmer working environments, and more professional respect.

For as good as you want it to sound, I simply don’t see people jumping at the chance to teach. It’s almost like people know it’s not a good deal?

There are various reasons a lot of people aren't interested in teaching. For me, the primary reason is because I would suck at being a teacher. Good teaching is HARD and not all that many people are really great at it. I don't want teachers for the sake of filling positions. I want people who want to teach and who are good at their job - just like every employer wants employees who want to be there and are good at what they're expected to do.

I am one of those great teachers. I am very, very good at what I do. I’m the teacher who gets all the parent requests each year. Guess how I am treated? Just like the ones with poor performance.

I’m ready to leave, and I know nobody really cares. The PP wants “people who want to teach” (like me), but isn’t willing to see how the profession needs to change to keep us here.

Uh, excuse me, but I'm that PP and from what in my comment did you draw this conclusion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

Oh yes, the “summers off” statement. When you work 60+ hours a week at a job that provides absolutely no down time and no flexibility, those UNPAID summers become the only break you get.

And many of us end up working job #2. It’s not like we are lazing around the pool.

And on topic: please don’t get me anything. I’m a professional and I’m simply doing my job.

Sorry, this still doesn't fly. You have multiple long weekends, 1-2 week winter break, federal holidays, 1 week spring break -- all during your PAID months of the year. And while you will likely say you are still working during all of those days off, don't expect us to believe all or even most teachers are. For "no flexibility" and "no down time," there are an awful lot of teachers MIA the last weeks of the school year.

Teachers don't seem to realize or acknowledge that there are a lot of other professions in which people work 60+ hours a week YEAR ROUND and don't get every Federal and religious holiday and two weeks around Christmas/New Year's. Paid leave benefits vary widely. Fed Gov't is very generous. Some private companies, extremely stingy - literally 5 vacation days and 5 personal days (which includes sick leave) even with 20+ years work experience.

If teachers have such generous benefits, then why aren’t all the DCUM complainers applying to teach? That would easily take care of the teacher shortage in the region.

I’m guessing that’s because complainers have most or all of the following: better pay, more flexibility, a better work/life balance, calmer working environments, and more professional respect.

For as good as you want it to sound, I simply don’t see people jumping at the chance to teach. It’s almost like people know it’s not a good deal?

There are various reasons a lot of people aren't interested in teaching. For me, the primary reason is because I would suck at being a teacher. Good teaching is HARD and not all that many people are really great at it. I don't want teachers for the sake of filling positions. I want people who want to teach and who are good at their job - just like every employer wants employees who want to be there and are good at what they're expected to do.

I am one of those great teachers. I am very, very good at what I do. I’m the teacher who gets all the parent requests each year. Guess how I am treated? Just like the ones with poor performance.

I’m ready to leave, and I know nobody really cares. The PP wants “people who want to teach” (like me), but isn’t willing to see how the profession needs to change to keep us here.

Uh, excuse me, but I'm that PP and from what in my comment did you draw this conclusion?

Perhaps I’m confusing you with the posters, including on this very thread, who tell us to do our jobs without comment or complaint.

[Anonymous]

Can’t read the whole thing but as a teacher I do not think it’s families’ responsibility to buy us stuff because the district won’t increase wages. That annoys me as much as how restaurants don’t pay a living wage which means tipping culture has gotten out of control as they customer is expected to ensure employees make any kind of money .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t read the whole thing but as a teacher I do not think it’s families’ responsibility to buy us stuff because the district won’t increase wages. That annoys me as much as how restaurants don’t pay a living wage which means tipping culture has gotten out of control as they customer is expected to ensure employees make any kind of money .

Agree. I just think the takeaway should be for parents to let teachers know they/their student appreciate them. That's all we can really do. For parents who believe they are entitled to whatever they want and to act like teachers are their hired help, well, those parents could also stop being a-holes and support efforts to improve their children's behavior or attitudes toward learning or at least back up a teacher/school with disciplinary actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. I honestly hate receiving gifts from parents/students/family. I receive a paycheck for my performance. It makes me feel so low class. It’s like tipping a garbage man. I am a professional. No, I don’t need an email either. Your email, be it bad or good, does nothing when it comes to my paycheck or evaluation. The best thing you can do for me and any other teacher, is to be a partner with us in your child’s educational journey.

A “garbage man” is someone you look down on, eh? He’s a professional, too. At least he does his job with no whining and receives gifts and tips with thanks.

Those are two separate sentences/thoughts. I see why these kids can’t comprehend. It’s genetics!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

Oh yes, the “summers off” statement. When you work 60+ hours a week at a job that provides absolutely no down time and no flexibility, those UNPAID summers become the only break you get.

And many of us end up working job #2. It’s not like we are lazing around the pool.

And on topic: please don’t get me anything. I’m a professional and I’m simply doing my job.

Literally everyone is working long hours. Literally everyone would NOT complain about summers off.

PLEASE don’t use “literally”. I know plenty of people making 2 or 3 times more than me who work about 20 hours a week. There are threads under “jobs and careers” here on DCUM where people admit to doing 2-3 hours of work a day.

And the offer still stands: if you want summers off, then quit your job and enter the classroom. We have openings because teachers are fleeing. Why haven’t you done that yet? Stop complaining and join an alternative route to education program today.

Um... I went to college. I'm literally never going to be a teacher. And the folks you are referring to are few and far between (2-3 hrs of work). Don't be so dramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

+1

You have that option. Come teach.

Yup. Stop throwing around meaningless words and do it if you actually mean it.

Yet....I'm not the one constantly complaining about my FREAKING CHOSEN career. Get over yourself. No one is MAKING you teach. Go back to school and learn a skill and start living your life on your own without needing to subsist on Starbuck gift cards for petes sake!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a summer job and it won’t be a problem. I’d agree to make 30% less money if I had summers off.

Oh yes, the “summers off” statement. When you work 60+ hours a week at a job that provides absolutely no down time and no flexibility, those UNPAID summers become the only break you get.

And many of us end up working job #2. It’s not like we are lazing around the pool.

And on topic: please don’t get me anything. I’m a professional and I’m simply doing my job.

Sorry, this still doesn't fly. You have multiple long weekends, 1-2 week winter break, federal holidays, 1 week spring break -- all during your PAID months of the year. And while you will likely say you are still working during all of those days off, don't expect us to believe all or even most teachers are. For "no flexibility" and "no down time," there are an awful lot of teachers MIA the last weeks of the school year.

Teachers don't seem to realize or acknowledge that there are a lot of other professions in which people work 60+ hours a week YEAR ROUND and don't get every Federal and religious holiday and two weeks around Christmas/New Year's. Paid leave benefits vary widely. Fed Gov't is very generous. Some private companies, extremely stingy - literally 5 vacation days and 5 personal days (which includes sick leave) even with 20+ years work experience.

If teachers have such generous benefits, then why aren’t all the DCUM complainers applying to teach? That would easily take care of the teacher shortage in the region.

I’m guessing that’s because complainers have most or all of the following: better pay, more flexibility, a better work/life balance, calmer working environments, and more professional respect.

For as good as you want it to sound, I simply don’t see people jumping at the chance to teach. It’s almost like people know it’s not a good deal?

There are various reasons a lot of people aren't interested in teaching. For me, the primary reason is because I would suck at being a teacher. Good teaching is HARD and not all that many people are really great at it. I don't want teachers for the sake of filling positions. I want people who want to teach and who are good at their job - just like every employer wants employees who want to be there and are good at what they're expected to do.

I am one of those great teachers. I am very, very good at what I do. I’m the teacher who gets all the parent requests each year. Guess how I am treated? Just like the ones with poor performance.

I’m ready to leave, and I know nobody really cares. The PP wants “people who want to teach” (like me), but isn’t willing to see how the profession needs to change to keep us here.

Honest question - what do you expect parents to do about it? It's not like the higher ups listen to us either.

+1. This is like a doctor complaining about being a doctor and then complaining that it's up to their patients to change how their profession works. Teachers, if you don't like how your profession works, then be the change. It's not my job as a parent to fix it. I have my own profession with its own issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always give gift cards, either Amazon, Target or S'bux. I have a relative who is a teacher, they threw out all baked goods and had not use for cutesy mugs, lotions etc.

+1 My friend had 72 candles!