Anonymous wrote:I look at it as reimbursing the teacher for things they buy out of pocket for the classroom vs thanking the help.

This. Although this year the teachers sent out a list of things they needed and I bought them all.. in bulk. Specific pencils, "nice" tissues, unscented organic wipes, glue sticks, crayons, etc. One of the teachers also has snacks in her class if kids forget or don't have (we are Title 1), so I have given in the past to reimburse for that. If you don't want to give a gift card, maybe ask the teacher what they need for their classroom and then buy them. Or the librarian, we had a list of "lost" books that you could order for the library, stuff like that.

I think it must be very stressful to deal with a group of kids all day. I think some teachers do it better than others and we have had our share of teachers we think were a better fit for our child than others. Many schools work on the Konstella or similar app and do a class gift. Give if you want, don't give if you don't. We are DLI (outside DC), so we have two main teachers and two aides. Then the PTO asks for money for special teachers and office, lunch, and janitorial staff. They usually ask for between $10-$20, some families give more, some less, some nothing.

My in laws are all former educators. Some became superintendents, some retired, and one is leaving the profession. Don't give food. They throw it out. You don't know if someone put anything in it. They all said they threw food away and never ate it. They never expected anything, but were appreciative. The profession is tough, my relative who is finally leaving after working in K-12 education for almost 20 years is just done and he won't get a pension but it was that hard the last few years. He tried to stick it out, but couldn't. Threats, guns, phones, violence, students acting up, parents acting up, parents sending sick kids to school, and a lot based on test scores?

In Europe teachers won't be killed for teaching. They can be in America.

You don’t have to. You choose to. Is it also one of your “cultural traditions” to make a choice and then gripe endlessly about the choice you made?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private school teachers are notoriously underpaid. That's why some people do it

So it’s charity. The $500+ in gift cards they get will allow them to buy presents for their kids. I would be humiliated if I were a teacher and this is the reason parents give me gift cards.

So if your boss gives you $500 you would be humiliated? What a strange response!

But that’s it!!!!! I am NOT the teacher’s boss!!!!

But perhaps parents think they are? Teachers don’t work for me…

Whether you go to public or private you pay them. Your tax dollars or your tuition dollars pay the teachers.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think it makes some parents feel in a superior position (subconsciously of course).

But I agree, it’s a cultural difference in the end. For us teachers are professionals and not our paid employees. I would be offended in the teacher’s place and I am sure the teachers from my country would too. Americans teachers perhaps do not feel offended because it’s a given nowadays and they are practicals and parents like the position of feeling like they are able to help the poor teachers.

I think a thank you card made by the student is much more appropriate or a [/b]small gift we bring back from our travelings to show we thought of them and what they might enjoy[b].

NO one wants that, OP. It’s just more clutter. I don’t want a mug or keychain or snowglobe or magnet of somewhere someone else went on vacation. I don’t want food. The BEST gift I could get as a teacher would be a nice note/email from the parent or student saying that they appreciate me. If you feel compelled to give material items, gift card is the only one any teachers want. People do not want more stuff, no matter how cute it may be. People do not want more candies, cookies, or hot chocolate mixes.

A lot of times, teachers go above & beyond their basic job description to make a difference/help/support their 25+ students.

Given that Christmas is a time of generosity, it's not unreasonable to thank/recognize a teacher for their work.

I’m a teacher, and I give gift cards to my kids’ teachers. I’ll personalize the store if it’s one I know for sure they’ll use, but otherwise Amazon. It’s a gesture of appreciation. I don’t expect it and know they don’t either, but I like to brighten their day a bit. Giving chocolates or trinkets is not my style, and I know they’re set for mugs!

Seriously, don’t do it if you don’t want to. The other parents don’t know or care. The teacher isn’t expecting it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at it as reimbursing the teacher for things they buy out of pocket for the classroom vs thanking the help.

I don’t. If they feel they should be reimbursed then they should set up an itemized list and specify what they spent on classroom supplies and leave options for direct reimbursements. Or submit their expenses to their boss to get reimbursement. If there isn’t money in the budget, stop buying it! Kids will learn just the same. Classrooms function (better even) all over the world with way fewer supplies and way less money spent.

Yeah, those kids don’t need pencils or tissues! Those teachers should just have the kids write in the dirt outside and wipe their snotty noses with their sleeves.

It isn’t the teachers’ responsibility to buy these supplies. So they should stop (both buying them and complaining about it) If they refused to buy the essentials, I guarantee the districts would buy them.

Yeah, you don’t know anything about how the education system works…

Anonymous wrote:I want to start saying that I am not American and grew up in Europe. My kids go to private schools and we have been giving gift cards ($25-100) per teacher every year.

I am trying to understand why we do this. I do it because of peer pressure. All other parents/kids bring gift cards and I don’t want my kids to be the only ones that do not.

Why do other people in American do this? We have never done this in my home country. I think teachers (who are professionals) would be offended to receive a gift card.

I think a special gift or a home made card would be nice to show appreciation… money is offensive in my opinion. It seems to come from a “thanking the help” place and not a nice genuine desire to thank these professionals that teach our children.

Please don’t say that I don’t have to. I feel compelled to when everyone else does it.

You moved to a country with a tipping culture. What you’re used to back home doesn’t apply.

And people give Americans sh*t for traveling overseas and complaining that things are done differently.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think it makes some parents feel in a superior position (subconsciously of course).

But I agree, it’s a cultural difference in the end. For us teachers are professionals and not our paid employees. I would be offended in the teacher’s place and I am sure the teachers from my country would too. Americans teachers perhaps do not feel offended because it’s a given nowadays and they are practicals and parents like the position of feeling like they are able to help the poor teachers.

I think a thank you card made by the student is much more appropriate or a small gift we bring back from our travelings to show we thought of them and what they might enjoy.

Honestly, the teacher may not want a small gift from your travels. What are they going to do with it?

Op a gift cards is better. Imagine the collection of trinkets and coffee cups some teachers have.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think it makes some parents feel in a superior position (subconsciously of course).

But I agree, it’s a cultural difference in the end. For us teachers are professionals and not our paid employees. I would be offended in the teacher’s place and I am sure the teachers from my country would too. Americans teachers perhaps do not feel offended because it’s a given nowadays and they are practicals and parents like the position of feeling like they are able to help the poor teachers.

I think a thank you card made by the student is much more appropriate or a small gift we bring back from our travelings to show we thought of them and what they might enjoy.

Honestly, the teacher may not want a small gift from your travels. What are they going to do with it?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I look at it as reimbursing the teacher for things they buy out of pocket for the classroom vs thanking the help.

I don’t. If they feel they should be reimbursed then they should set up an itemized list and specify what they spent on classroom supplies and leave options for direct reimbursements. Or submit their expenses to their boss to get reimbursement. If there isn’t money in the budget, stop buying it! Kids will learn just the same. Classrooms function (better even) all over the world with way fewer supplies and way less money spent.

Yeah, those kids don’t need pencils or tissues! Those teachers should just have the kids write in the dirt outside and wipe their snotty noses with their sleeves.

It isn’t the teachers’ responsibility to buy these supplies. So they should stop (both buying them and complaining about it) If they refused to buy the essentials, I guarantee the districts would buy them.

Gosh! The year that the school where I consulted ran out of toilet paper would have been interesting. PP, PLEASE post your contact info — so I can explain that you, personally, have guaranteed that the districts will buy supplies. I’m sure that just mentioning your name will immediately change things for the better. Thank you SO much for turning things around for our schools!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Private school teachers are notoriously underpaid. That's why some people do it

So it’s charity. The $500+ in gift cards they get will allow them to buy presents for their kids. I would be humiliated if I were a teacher and this is the reason parents give me gift cards.

So if your boss gives you $500 you would be humiliated? What a strange response!

But it not the boss giving $500 is it?
Any professional outside of teaching would be mortified if the people that are in their care were expected to give them gifts.
But teachers in the US have become so spoiled with gifts, they actually put out into the universe what shildren/people should gift them. It is so gross and narcissistic.

I would love for this PP to explain exactly how teachers “put out into the universe” what people should gift them.

???

Anonymous wrote:I don't do it unless the teacher goes above and beyond their regular duties. So far I've only come across 2 teachers who were truly outstanding.

That just shows that you don't know what their regular duties are.

Anonymous wrote:I don't do it unless the teacher goes above and beyond their regular duties. So far I've only come across 2 teachers who were truly outstanding.

Barf

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think it makes some parents feel in a superior position (subconsciously of course).

But I agree, it’s a cultural difference in the end. For us teachers are professionals and not our paid employees. I would be offended in the teacher’s place and I am sure the teachers from my country would too. Americans teachers perhaps do not feel offended because it’s a given nowadays and they are practicals and parents like the position of feeling like they are able to help the poor teachers.

I think a thank you card made by the student is much more appropriate or a small gift we bring back from our travelings to show we thought of them and what they might enjoy.

There's one difference. Some parents think the teachers work for them because taxes pay teachers salaries.