[quote=Anonymous]
Seriously??? You would call me "tight hearted" because although I contributed $2500 to the teacher's continuing education fund this year, bought each child's teacher and their spouse a ticket to the gala ($300), donated $50 to each teacher's classroom gift for Christmas (required was $10) and donated another $50 each for the birthday gift from class (again it was a required $10) and spent over $200 for each child's class for fun stuff that was enjoyed by the whole class all year (a huge box of stickers, festive pencils, fun erasers, craft projects for rainy days, grab bag gifts, etc)??

Oh, and I almost forgot underwriting the cost of bagels, donuts, coffee and juice during "teacher appreciation week" which cost just under $500 and underwriting one lunch that week which cost me just under $800. I paid for the whole school, not just 2 teachers. And the $100 I gave to each kids class for the "teacher appreciation week" gift (again, the required amount was $10).

But, I'm "tight hearted" and "a piece of work" because I don't see the need to give the teacher a $10 Starbucks gift card on the last day of school... Really??? Because my kid's teachers tell me "we wish we had more parents like you".

So teachers, which would you prefer? Money for continuing ed, supplies for your classroom, a generous gift card for Christmas, teacher's week and Birthday, gala tickets for you and your spouse, anything you want/need for the class bought at the drop of a hat and given with no questions asked or a potted plant? If you would really rather have the plant please let me know and I will be happy to oblige. God knows, I don't want to appear unappreciative by forgoing the plant and just spending money on things I thought you needed or would like.[/quote]

Not a teacher, just another private school mom.

What you are doing are more than generous. Some of us just like to add a little personal touch. But we should all realize that we do good for ourselves. Nobody forces us, and nobody owes us anything.

[quote=Anonymous]Come on folks... are you kidding? Most of you give tips of $5, $10, and much more for one meal out or other service(s). I'm not comparing teachers to workers in fields that receives tips, I just trying to put in perspective the small amount of money discuss here about spending towards the people that probably spend/care/teach the most time with your child(ren); other than yourselves. While I know that $5 or $10 is a significant amount for some families, it's disgusting to see the tight hearted sentiments of wealthier families who can easily afford to show a little appreciation to their child(ren)'s teachers and belly ache about. (i.e., poster who pays $60K per year for two private school education. etc...) [/quote]
Seriously??? You would call me "tight hearted" because although I contributed $2500 to the teacher's continuing education fund this year, bought each child's teacher and their spouse a ticket to the gala ($300), donated $50 to each teacher's classroom gift for Christmas (required was $10) and donated another $50 each for the birthday gift from class (again it was a required $10) and spent over $200 for each child's class for fun stuff that was enjoyed by the whole class all year (a huge box of stickers, festive pencils, fun erasers, craft projects for rainy days, grab bag gifts, etc)??

Oh, and I almost forgot underwriting the cost of bagels, donuts, coffee and juice during "teacher appreciation week" which cost just under $500 and underwriting one lunch that week which cost me just under $800. I paid for the whole school, not just 2 teachers. And the $100 I gave to each kids class for the "teacher appreciation week" gift (again, the required amount was $10).

But, I'm "tight hearted" and "a piece of work" because I don't see the need to give the teacher a $10 Starbucks gift card on the last day of school... Really??? Because my kid's teachers tell me "we wish we had more parents like you".

So teachers, which would you prefer? Money for continuing ed, supplies for your classroom, a generous gift card for Christmas, teacher's week and Birthday, gala tickets for you and your spouse, anything you want/need for the class bought at the drop of a hat and given with no questions asked or a potted plant? If you would really rather have the plant please let me know and I will be happy to oblige. God knows, I don't want to appear unappreciative by forgoing the plant and just spending money on things I thought you needed or would like.

I was going to do the cute plant via Pinterest as well, but from what I'm seeing here and on FB, my child's teacher may be receiving several of those... so maybe I'll just go the Starbucks + sweet card route!

Come on folks... are you kidding? Most of you give tips of $5, $10, and much more for one meal out or other service(s). I'm not comparing teachers to workers in fields that receives tips, I just trying to put in perspective the small amount of money discuss here about spending towards the people that probably spend/care/teach the most time with your child(ren); other than yourselves. While I know that $5 or $10 is a significant amount for some families, it's disgusting to see the tight hearted sentiments of wealthier families who can easily afford to show a little appreciation to their child(ren)'s teachers and belly ache about. (i.e., poster who pays $60K per year for two private school education. etc...)

Another preschool teacher here.
I work in a morning preschool class to help make ends meet while my own kids are at school.
I don't need or expect anything. A nice note telling me what a great year we've had is above and beyond, in my opinion, but I do often receive gift cards, and to be honest I use them to help bridge the gap. I often spend the gift cards I get around the holidays toward gifts for my own kids and family and gift cards I get at the end of the school year go toward everyday expenses during the summer (when I'm not getting paid). Gift cards will never be expected, but when received they are received as a very generous token of appreciation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

What a rude comment....First of all, teachers do not put in a whole year, they work 9 months out of the year plus they get winter & spring breaks off.

Depending on how many teachers a child has, I think a $10 giftcard is more than sufficient.

And YOUR comment isn't rude? A teacher didn't write that comment; another poster did. (And personally, that PP was correct.)

So YOU'RE jumping all over us b/c you claim we only work 9 months out of the year? You are a moron. Let me help you with the math. Most of us work a week in August and three weeks in June, which is ONE month. Now, let's add the following: September + October +November +December +January +February +March +April +May.

I come up with 9.

What about you, Idiotic PP?

So, are you saying you work 10 months out of the year? Still, that's pretty good considering you have off every holiday, long breaks and Christmas and in the Spring, never have to go in on a snow day or struggle to figure out what to do with kids when school is closed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

What a rude comment....First of all, teachers do not put in a whole year, they work 9 months out of the year plus they get winter & spring breaks off.

Depending on how many teachers a child has, I think a $10 giftcard is more than sufficient.

And YOUR comment isn't rude? A teacher didn't write that comment; another poster did. (And personally, that PP was correct.)

So YOU'RE jumping all over us b/c you claim we only work 9 months out of the year? You are a moron. Let me help you with the math. Most of us work a week in August and three weeks in June, which is ONE month. Now, let's add the following: September + October +November +December +January +February +March +April +May.

I come up with 9.

What about you, Idiotic PP?

Anonymous wrote:Lady, you're a real piece of work.

You do realize how lucky you are just to be able to donate $10K to the annual fund, right? I pay $7K just for PT preschool for my 3 yo.

So since teachers' gifts are really a drop in the bucket for you, why can't you you fork over another $25?

Anonymous wrote:I pay over 60K for 2 kids each year. I donate another 10K to the annual fund. I buy a table at the gala and I buy at least 2 teacher tickets for the gala, I buy at least one item for every fundraiser, etc...

I donate to the class gift coordinated by the room mom. I pay the class dues that goes to buy the teacher a birthday and Christmas present.

That is enough. I really don't feel obligated to give any more.

I pay for their gala tickets every year (guest too) but I guess you missed that part. That was $300 this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have given gifts for all teacher's birthdays, holidays, and teacher appreciation week including teachers outside the classroom. And in addition we contributed to gifts for the class twice this year and volunteered several times. I will give something at the end of the year, but it won't be substantial. I personally just don't like the constant request for gifts all through the year and when you have to get gifts for more than one teacher at a time it does add up.

I want to teach here!
I teach HS and here is a list of all of the xmas gifts I have received in the last 12 years:
1. a $20 Starbucks gift card, 2011 (awesome!)
2. A bag of Lindt Chocolate truffles, 2008 (awesome!)
3. "Suck my dick" written in purple marker on my classroom door, 2002 (super awesome!)
4. Xmas cards with very sweet notes from students, various years (best gift - well, except for the Starbucks gift card)

So really people, anything you want to give at anytime is greatly appreciated. I promise. I don't expect anything. I feel bad for the poster above; that does suck that you are solicited for gifts throughout the year. That isn't what it is about, but teachers, like any other profession (or SAHM!) like to be acknowledged for a job well done (if you think it was a job well done).

You are hysterical! I bet you are a great teacher too thanks for the ideas, not the op, but I will get ours a Starbucks card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$10 Starbuck certificate for each teacher

A whole year they put in, and they get 10 bucks, hmmm

Not the PP you quoted, but that's what I gave for teacher appreciation week. There are 4 teachers, and I plan to give again at the end of the year. Sorry, that's all we could manage this year. I have however donated books to the classroom, and helped out when I can.

Sorry that the $10 gift card isn't enough for you.

Yep. That's what I'm planning. I'm a single parent and my daycare bill eats 40% of my paycheck. DC has 5 teachers that deal with him on a daily basis and each one deserves something. $50 isn't a lot to you maybe, but that's 25% of my grocery budget for the month. It's a lot to me.

I also do a handwritten card for each teacher, thanking them for taking such good care of DC.

I donate books, dressup clothes and whatever else I can throughout the year. If I could afford more, I'd give more. I honestly am in awe of what a good job DC's teachers do with him and the rest of the kids in class.

Anonymous wrote:$25 each not shameful?

Not at all. DC has 10 teachers. We plan to give each $30, and that is $300 total for us. That is beyond the class gift.

I'm not a teacher, but the idea of a gift of supplies or musical instrument for the school seems like a school gift to me...not a teacher gift.

I think a teacher gift should be personal, and something a teacher should get to use on him or herself outside of the classroom. Otherwise, it's a class gift, and may as well be given to the school and not an individual.

I'd give a small (yes, even $10) gift card to Starbucks, a little lunch restaurant you know they like, Target or something like that. If you're really a big spender, I'd give a gift certificate for a spa or a hotel chain or a popular restaurant so they they can indulge and spend some time relaxing. And if you or the school is seriously uptight about gifts, you can just give a Target gift card and say "you buy so much for the kiddos...so here, and thanks." Of course, I'd include a picture or card from a child if they are young.

Lady, you're a real piece of work.

You do realize how lucky you are just to be able to donate $10K to the annual fund, right? I pay $7K just for PT preschool for my 3 yo.

So since teachers' gifts are really a drop in the bucket for you, why can't you you fork over another $25?

Anonymous wrote:I pay over 60K for 2 kids each year. I donate another 10K to the annual fund. I buy a table at the gala and I buy at least 2 teacher tickets for the gala, I buy at least one item for every fundraiser, etc...

I donate to the class gift coordinated by the room mom. I pay the class dues that goes to buy the teacher a birthday and Christmas present.

That is enough. I really don't feel obligated to give any more.

My daughter attended a Montessori, and we purchaed a music item that was part of the approved Montessori materials.

Anonymous wrote:

I pay over 60K for 2 kids each year. I donate another 10K to the annual fund. I buy a table at the gala and I buy at least 2 teacher tickets for the gala, I buy at least one item for every fundraiser, etc...

I donate to the class gift coordinated by the room mom. I pay the class dues that goes to buy the teacher a birthday and Christmas present.

That is enough. I really don't feel obligated to give any more.

You do understand that most of your "obligations" don't relate at all to teacher appreciation, right?

I agree with this, but she does also chip in for gifts so give her a break. I think the real issue here, just as the prior teacher said, is really to taker advantage of an opportunity to acknowledge your child's teachers and caregivers somehow They clearly are not in the profession for money but they should absolutely be acknowledged and seen as the wonderful people that most of them are - not as automatons that come as fixtures in the classroom.....just like you would like to be acknowledged at work (when your boss picks you up one of those magnets you love to collect from all over the world from his/her last business trip overseas) or when your husband surprises you with your your favorite dessert from that bakery that you love just because he happened to be driving by, or when your kid tells you thanks for making his favorite dinner. That tells someone "I know you" "I see you" " and I think highly enough of you that I would make an effort to try to give something , anything back. This is part of what teachers feed on. The validation of their efforts at a job that is incredibly demanding. A $10 gift card is lovely and most importantly , thoughtful. Even a card with a sincere sentiment would be remembered, I'm sure.