Teachers regularly get gift cards at our school. I would not stress about it.

Yes it’s fine

My kid’s school has a cap of a $5 value on gifts but I’ve never had a complaint from a teacher about gift cards in higher amounts! No sense in worrying about silly rules when teachers work so hard and deserve much more.

I don't often outright refuse to write letters, but I will ask a kid if I am really the best person to write one.

I would write a handwritten note with the outcomes. You could put a small gift card with that (like favorite coffee shop). If you are doing something bigger, I would check to see if there is a gift limit. Don't put a teacher in the position of needing to refuse. If the kid will have the teacher again the next year, I would keep the gift smaller.

That why my school gave the cards to the great teachers that admin cut before they got that pesky tenure. Too bad the teachers union is a bs show

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s not bribe! The teachers spent hours filling out forms and writing recommendations.

It just feels that $25 is a measly amount for work it took.

If anyone accepts $100, they are committing ethics violation. Don’t F them up.

Anonymous wrote:We wanted to thank them for filling out endless recommendation letters and forms for DC’s summer programs.

DC got into some selective programs and we are thankful. But is $100 too much?

That would be a generous and well-received gift at the public school where I teach. I’ve received gifts like that occasionally and appreciated them, but less is also normal.

I would just say respect your teachers so you dont feel so guilty where you feel you need to buy presents to get back to the good graces.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It’s not bribe! The teachers spent hours filling out forms and writing recommendations.

It just feels that $25 is a measly amount for work it took.

But they are professionals. You don’t give them money/gift cards at all. You write a sincere note of gratitude.

Anonymous wrote:Id like to see a teacher look a kid straight in the eye and say- you cause a lot of classroom trouble, and stress all year long and the only reason you passed is because my boss makes me pass everyone. No reference. Get out of my classroom.

That teacher would be fired so fast.

It’s actually better to write a negative letter. It wouldn’t be the first time I do it and it certainly won’t be the last. Then, the crocodile tears come pouring in cause Johnny/Larla wasn’t admitted to their “dream *insert whatever delusional thing they thought they would get*”

Anonymous wrote:I would say 500$ for every letter grade boost. If you want to turn a F into an A it might cost 2000$

I have actually done this but never got caught. I invest that cash and it’s great returns. Being a teacher is underpaid so I gotta do what I gotta do. Moral righteous folks you can spare me your lessons.

Anonymous wrote:The only gift teachers want is not to be harassed by parents and admin to fraud the data and to ignore the violence. That would be worth more than a thousand gift cards. Some peace and support

I am sure giving an A- instead of a B+ would make your life as well as the parents and students life easier.
As a parent who doesn’t harass teachers I am just so sad when kid gets B+’s. He is the type of kid to never ask, and sometimes the stars just don’t align.
Don’t teachers know the game the parents and students are forced to play?

The only gift teachers want is not to be harassed by parents and admin to fraud the data and to ignore the violence. That would be worth more than a thousand gift cards. Some peace and support

Anonymous wrote:I know teachers who donate any gc over $25.

I do this. I’m uncomfortable accepting large gifts.

I know teachers who donate any gc over $25.