OP, please stop assuming that every teacher shares your Grinch-like sentiments, and stop trying to speak for every teacher.

When I was a single, young teacher, those gift cards were HIGHLY appreciated! I struggled to make ends meet, and I will never forget the time I had some unexpected expenses, was so worried about just buying groceries until I got paid next, and then remembered: someone had given me a $150 gift card to a grocery store. I was so relieved and thankful to them.

Also, I was far too poor to buy some things that I loved but were luxuries for me at the time, like Starbucks and books, and I felt so grateful for the Amazon and Starbucks cards too. I certainly never forgot whose card I was using.

You sound so ungrateful and mean. Just give your gift cards to another teacher if you don't want them. For some people, especially young teachers just starting out, they mean a lot.

I get you OP. I don’t like giving teachers money. I have because of peer pressure but I don’t like it. My son always hand makes his teacher gifts at the end of the year. K and 1st grade teachers especially made a great impression on him sadly this years 2nd is not a great teacher.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the OP. The gift card giving is out of control. It can feel like bribery. They should have rules about it.

They do have rules. But families need to be made aware of them.

Anonymous wrote:I like how OP responds to several posts, but can’t take two seconds to explain why donating the gift cards to the staff of a nursing home would be such a horrible idea.

NP:

Johnny takes level 1 class with me freshman year, he gets a A, gives me $200 to a restaurant at the end of the year.

Next year, I get my rosters for the level 2 sections I teach, and Johnny is on it again. He is sitting at an 89.3 at the end of the year, asking me to please bump it up.

Or Larla gives me a $100 to target at the end of junior year, and then contacts me 3 weeks into summer asking me to write her teacher recommendation for college. I don’t particularly enjoy larla, she’s often late to class, not a strong student, nor have we had any real conversations this year, so I’d rather not write it…but she just paid me.

Do you not see how that’s a potentially awkward/stressful situation, even if I donated the gift cards to the fire station? Just a transactional situation I’d rather avoid.

If you want to give thanks, write an FCPS cares note. We get recognized, our admin is made aware, and it’s clearly for something specific rather than “here’s $100 because you’re poorer than me” or “here’s $200 because I might need you to do my kid a favor down the road”

I know, YOUR intentions are nothing but kind and grateful, but not everyone’s are and it’s really hard to tell sometimes.

I agree with the OP. The gift card giving is out of control. It can feel like bribery. They should have rules about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

Different teacher here. This teacher is not the majority. I appreciate any token of thanks. I think most people know how hard it is to be a teacher monetarily in this area. I give gift cards to my son’s daycare teachers. I am just as happy with a thoughtful card which I save. I think it is the thought that counts.

Yes, this. And of course you write thank you notes OP!

No. You definitely don’t have to write thank you notes for the gift cards. The gift cards are a thank you note from the family.

It’s incredibly rude not to at the very least send a thank you note if you’re receiving a gift card.

Anonymous wrote:I like how OP responds to several posts, but can’t take two seconds to explain why donating the gift cards to the staff of a nursing home would be such a horrible idea.

I thought I was clear: I don’t feel comfortable getting gift cards (or any gifts for that matter) from my students. It makes me feel awkward, it stresses me out. I tried to explain my reasons the best I could. I do not want to handle any money gifted to me by students. If you really care about the teachers, may be ask if they are ok with receiving gifts or if they would like class supplies or whatever other ideas you might have. If you ask me, I would say I really appreciate the thought but I don’t need anything, thank you! Than you and I are happy! Why do you need to insult me??

Especially as, as I just learned from the link posted above, many of these gifts (over $50) are violation of the FCPS policy.

I like how OP responds to several posts, but can’t take two seconds to explain why donating the gift cards to the staff of a nursing home would be such a horrible idea.

I’m so glad you have a rich spouse or family money. Many do not, and we see the teachers buying things for the classroom. That’s why we give you Target cards - you can buy basics for yourself, stuff for the classroom, or something fun.

Don’t ruin it for the rest.

TJ supposedly has some teachers who have impeccable credentials..

From what I gathered: "A.I teacher (shoutout Gabor) triple majored at M.I.T and has a doctorate at Princeton.

Geosystems teacher (shoutout Jiron) has a degree from CalTech."

The teachers could definitely make way more in corporate, and so gift cards, notes et al are our humble way of showing our heartfelt appreciation..

OP - thank you for sharing your take on it...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

Different teacher here. This teacher is not the majority. I appreciate any token of thanks. I think most people know how hard it is to be a teacher monetarily in this area. I give gift cards to my son’s daycare teachers. I am just as happy with a thoughtful card which I save. I think it is the thought that counts.

Yes, this. And of course you write thank you notes OP!

No. You definitely don’t have to write thank you notes for the gift cards. The gift cards are a thank you note from the family.

Wait, FCPS teachers CONSTANTLY complain about being under paid and whine about no raises, but then you have a problem with a gifted $200 gift card from a student?

The parents probably think you deserve more than your meager salary and doing what they can to help you get by.

Anonymous wrote:I teach at college and I rarely receive giftcard. On the few occasions I have, it felt very awkward. I really appreciate those handwritten notes, they always brighten my day and made my happy.

As a parent, I occasionally send small amount of giftcard for my child's favorite teacher as a token of appreciation, it is convenient and easy.

That’s because college professors are paid and treated like professionals. These teachers are treated like babies by the school board and state. They have so many ridiculous standardized tests and extras. They wish they could just teach like professors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We think you’re underpaid and want to give you money to help make up the gap. But it’s tacky/not acceptable to give you cash so we give you gift cards. We make crazy salaries for doing far less actual work than you do, so please, just take our money.

Different teacher here. This teacher is not the majority. I appreciate any token of thanks. I think most people know how hard it is to be a teacher monetarily in this area. I give gift cards to my son’s daycare teachers. I am just as happy with a thoughtful card which I save. I think it is the thought that counts.

Yes, this. And of course you write thank you notes OP!

Hi- parent here. I don’t expect a thank you back. The gift card and letter were our thank you to you.

I hate gift cards at the beginning of the year, or even for Christmas because it feels like bribery. But end of the year is just thanking the teachers.