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