Anonymous wrote:From my experience as a teacher:
In MCPS pre-K programs, about a third of the class will bring flowers or a gift for the teacher.
In wealthier elementary schools, usually half of the class would bring an end of year gift for the classroom teacher. Middle and high school teachers may receive three-four gifts/cards total.
In Title 1 schools (elementary), usually one or two students bring a gift or card.
That being said, a note of appreciation goes a LONG way. It’s a nice bonus if accompanied by a $10-$15 gift card (target, Amazon).
As a parent, I also try and remember to send in a handwritten thank you card and $15 gift card to the secretaries, and will often send a note or email to admin letting them know we appreciate them (if it has been a good experience).
If it’s too much to get together at the end of the year (and if your child has had a positive experience with their teacher), you can always send a quick email letting know one or two things that were particularly meaningful to your child.
Do the middle-class parents who give gift cards to elementary school teachers usually give one for teacher appreciation and one for end-of-year? Or do they usually pick one or the other?