Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can it be a bribe after the letter is done? Teachers are usually subject to gift limits so a small gift can be added to the note. Or maybe a holiday gift.

Fine, it looks like payment for a job well done. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

Totally disagree. This is a huge amount of work for the teachers (I’m not a teacher) and it’s really nice to do something nice for them just like you would get a small holiday gift for any other teacher your kids really like. OP, for my older child, I got something for his school counselor and the 2 teachers. Spent about $25 each and my kid wrote a note. Plan to do the same again this year.

I gave all the teachers and counselor gift cards. It's a lot if work, and they don't make a lot. And, they were fantastic teachers for my kid. It was a thanks for everything kind of gift and given after decisions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can it be a bribe after the letter is done? Teachers are usually subject to gift limits so a small gift can be added to the note. Or maybe a holiday gift.

Fine, it looks like payment for a job well done. Wink wink, nudge nudge.

Totally disagree. This is a huge amount of work for the teachers (I’m not a teacher) and it’s really nice to do something nice for them just like you would get a small holiday gift for any other teacher your kids really like. OP, for my older child, I got something for his school counselor and the 2 teachers. Spent about $25 each and my kid wrote a note. Plan to do the same again this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s actually not a part of a teacher’s job. These letters are not mentioned in our contracts, nor is a single minute of our workday all year long devoted to this task, which can take over 40 work hours a year. We are allowed to say no. It is a common misconception on DCUM that this is a part of our job.

We do it anyway out of respect for our students, but be aware this is 100% done on our own time and out of support, not obligation.

OP, a letter is sufficient. I write over 50 a year and usually get 1-2 thank-you letters. I’m thrilled when students show appreciation for these letters! It doesn’t happen often.

THANK YOU for sharing this.
And also on behalf of the 48 students who neglect to express their thanks via written or verbal follow-up….thank you for taking your personal time to write these letters.
It really does mean a lot to the students, whether or not they possess the proper etiquette to express that gratitude.

Anonymous wrote:It’s actually not a part of a teacher’s job. These letters are not mentioned in our contracts, nor is a single minute of our workday all year long devoted to this task, which can take over 40 work hours a year. We are allowed to say no. It is a common misconception on DCUM that this is a part of our job.

We do it anyway out of respect for our students, but be aware this is 100% done on our own time and out of support, not obligation.

OP, a letter is sufficient. I write over 50 a year and usually get 1-2 thank-you letters. I’m thrilled when students show appreciation for these letters! It doesn’t happen often.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s actually not a part of a teacher’s job. These letters are not mentioned in our contracts, nor is a single minute of our workday all year long devoted to this task, which can take over 40 work hours a year. We are allowed to say no. It is a common misconception on DCUM that this is a part of our job.

We do it anyway out of respect for our students, but be aware this is 100% done on our own time and out of support, not obligation.

OP, a letter is sufficient. I write over 50 a year and usually get 1-2 thank-you letters. I’m thrilled when students show appreciation for these letters! It doesn’t happen often.

There are dozens of things you do that are part of your job but aren't specifically named in the contract. This is one of them. It's 10x as important as grading the 50th makework homework assignment.

If you don't like it, lobby the principal to ban LOR and send letters to colleges telling them.

It's not fair to keep some children in or out of a college based on teachers' whims.

Anonymous wrote:Yes to a prompt, handwritten thank you card from the student.

Also, if you are really feelin’ it, yes to a Coffee/Target gift card at the end of the school year, with thanks from the parent for a wonderful year of learning and support. The gift should in no way be tied to the letter. We like to gift our teachers in the years when they don’t write letters too! Thus, end of year does not feel like a bribe to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s actually not a part of a teacher’s job. These letters are not mentioned in our contracts, nor is a single minute of our workday all year long devoted to this task, which can take over 40 work hours a year. We are allowed to say no. It is a common misconception on DCUM that this is a part of our job.

We do it anyway out of respect for our students, but be aware this is 100% done on our own time and out of support, not obligation.

OP, a letter is sufficient. I write over 50 a year and usually get 1-2 thank-you letters. I’m thrilled when students show appreciation for these letters! It doesn’t happen often.

There are dozens of things you do that are part of your job but aren't specifically named in the contract. This is one of them. It's 10x as important as grading the 50th makework homework assignment.

If you don't like it, lobby the principal to ban LOR and send letters to colleges telling them.

It's not fair to keep some children in or out of a college based on teachers' whims.

I very, very clearly stated that we do write letters, but it is not done out of OBLIGATION.

I wasn’t complaining about it, nor was I saying that we don’t / won’t write them. We obviously do. And whims? Do you really think I won’t write one because of some whim? I write 50 a year, and I turn down very few. When I do, I alert counseling, explain my good reason why, and help find alternatives. Because I care.

I was merely fixing a common misconception. And since two posters before me said “thank you” letters aren’t needed because this is part of our job, I felt a kind, reasonable explanation was warranted.

It is absolutely acceptable for teachers to explain the -reality- of our profession to others and you don’t need to assume we are complaining. We aren’t. Perhaps it’s time you assume good intentions, because that’s what the majority of us have, and we work very hard and sacrifice more than we should.