I listened to a radio station where a teacher called to complain about the lack of supplies at her job. She argued teaching is the only job in the world where supplies arent given. I disagreed. My job gives us supplies to do the job but If i want to print every email, use a certain pen or want my desk supplies to be pink that is also on me. Her description made it seem like at the very least the county she worked for made sure every kid had supplies for learning. She wanted to make the space more bright, inviting and comfortable which I applaud but questioned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it gift time already? Didn’t school just start?!

+1,000 This post is pointless.

Seriously.

My job is to help people, all day, every day, in a highly technical capacity. Many of my clients, who I don’t get commission for, but the sales rep does, I’ve known for years, and have supported for years. I don’t get gifts or compensation aside from my paycheque and a thanks at the end of emails or phone calls.

Oh, and no, my company does not reimburse for supplies.

I give the teachers $100 in cash at the end of year, $40 in gifts for teacher appreciation week, and $60 in cash for the holidays. They take care of and nurture my kid all year. Even that seems a bit cheap to me. I am not rich, FWIW, just spending money on a high priority.

Anonymous wrote:Is it gift time already? Didn’t school just start?!

+1,000 This post is pointless.

Is it gift time already? Didn’t school just start?!

We like to do a cute mug with a $10 Starbucks card

Our PTA gives each teacher $50 per month for supplies.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe talk to someone who can make real changes rather than rant on an anonymous DCUM board.

+1

I think it depends on the teacher and school. Some teachers want things like board games and books and others don't and dump the kids on chrome books. I spent a lot of money one year/black friday on board games and toys as there was a lot of indoor recess that year and my child said they were never played with. Teacher said she wanted them.

Agree on a gift card or supplies over the things that make the parents happy.

I think all PTA's, if they have the funding, should give the teachers money for supplies. Ours does their pet projects over that and its a huge waste of money as it doesn't help the kids or teachers. Now I don't join the PTA and give that money to the teacher.

Maybe talk to someone who can make real changes rather than rant on an anonymous DCUM board.

Retired teacher here. I often see posts about teacher gifts here. When you visit your child’s classroom, note the posters, colorful borders, alternative seating, magnet clips on the board, books in the classroom library, and just about everything except any textbooks or desks, and know that almost all of it was paid for by teachers themselves. So if you are thinking of a gift for a teacher, an Amazon or Lakeshore Learning Store gift card would be much appreciated, so that the teacher doesn’t have to use his or her own funds to outfit the room. Another idea is games for indoor recess, like Connect 4. New teachers especially need games, even an Uno deck that your kids aren’t using anymore would be appreciated. Fun stencils that kids can use for drawing when it’s pouring rain outside, Rubik’s cube type things, or pick up some used books at a library book sale for a new teacher’s classroom library.

If you are a leader in the PTA, please consider just giving brand new teachers two hundred dollars outright for them to use for the classroom. If your school doesn’t have those kinds of funds, perhaps the PTA could start a Donors Choose account for that purpose. It really bothers me that teachers feel obligated to set up their own Donors Choose accounts for their classroom needs.

Thanks to those of you who do your best to support teachers and we appreciate you!