This year I had a dilemma. NHL was in a multi-teacher classroom. There was a regular education teacher, special education teacher and two aids in the room. Obviously, I could not afford to get them all something big and exciting. In December I organized a collection of money for gift cards to give each of the teachers in the room. Once again several of the parents expressed a desire to do this, so I agreed to send out a note. Only a handfull of people sent money in, so I purchased each of the teachers a gift card to a book store where there is a myriad of possible items to purchase. As a a teacher I loved giftcards that allowed me to buy something special that I may not have otherwise purchased.
In addition to these adults, NHL has PT and OT where I wanted to thank them for all that they have done. I wrote in NHL’s communication log asking for the six adults to tell me their favorite colors. My plan was to knit them some wash cloths to have. Something a little more personal. In addition to this, I went and bought them some notecards and mini-notebooks for their purses. Here are some photos of what I purchased for them.
This is how I wrapped them to send in with NHL:
In addition to this, I bought the school nurse a gift card for some coffee. She went out of her way helping us with allergy and pinkeye issues throughout the year. What I did not do was purchase/make anything for NHL’s Music/Art/PE teachers or the librarian. As wonderful as they are, there has to be a line and that was mine this year.
So my question to you this week:
What do you usually do for teachers? Do you give something to all of the individuals that work with your child/children, or only certain teachers?
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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.
Aloha #54
We only gave gifts to our daughter’s figure skating coaches.
East Coast Wahine’s last blog post..Aloha Friday #18
I give baked goods and candies that I’ve made. For my son’s last day of school, I made an awesome recipe for peanut butter fudge. I made a huge batch and cut half into squares then wrapped in waxed paper and put it in reusable containers for the teachers. I tied a bow on and copied the recipe on an index card, so that way if the teachers liked the recipe, they could make it themselves. They LOVED it!! I cut up the other half and (after making sure no peanut allergies) gave it to the class for a last day treat.
I gave presents to his kindergarten teacher as well as the one aide they had in class. She helped a lot too and was really good to my son, so I chose to treat her just like the “real” teacher. :)
Andrea McMann’s last blog post..Another Aloha Friday
We dont have teachers yet!
Alex’s room moms collected money for a gift, plus they made a photo album that I contributed pictures to. I didn’t get her a separate gift but gave her a thank you card, had Alex sign it and wrote a note myself. He also drew her a picture. Funds (and time) are tight right now so that was the best I could do, having returned from CO 2 days before school ended and of course I didn’t think about it before that.
For the aftercare K teacher I did the same thing – hand written thank you note and a picture drawn by Alex.
Nancy’s last blog post..What would you buy?
Gift cards to places to eat.
Pamela Kramer’s last blog post..Freebie Friday – Week 13
At the end of the year my kids would give their teachers a candy bar card or a treat from our oven. :)
During the year we would remember their teachers on birthdays and have them over to the house for different occasions. As a grandparent however I try to encourage my children to keep the cost of the grandkids teachers’ gift at a minimum. With age I’ve learned that it’s the simple things in life that bring pleasure to people.
Cathi’s last blog post..Aloha Friday
We usually do gift cards because I figure that the teachers probably get lots of little things that they don’t really want. At Christmas time I also give a gift to our piano teacher but never a gift card for her. I really like it when some one organizes it and everyone in the class donates money so that the teacher can get a larger gift certificate or something really nice.
Heatherlyn’s last blog post..Snorkling, Private Islands, And Other Things We Don’t Have Back At Home
Usually the whole class goes in for a gift card for J-Man’s class, but now that Sissy is older we don’t do teacher gifts. Too many teachers.
Elle’s last blog post..Aloha Friday ~ Slumber Party Drama
We gave a gift card to his teacher this year. I have always stuck with the primary teacher, not to say the others aren’t just as important but you do have to draw a line somewhere.
Nina’s last blog post..Funny Kids
A Visa gift card is a good idea because most teachers spend their own money for supplies throughout the year!
Vicki’s last blog post..Aloha Friday
We’re not there yet (boy’s not in school) — but I remember my mother always making sure my teacher had a gift. That was just for my primary teacher. I guess she figured the primary teacher had to put up with me more hours than the other teachers!
Holly at Tropic of Mom’s last blog post..Overdue
I usually just give to their primary teachers and afterschool leaders. Since we don’t have a Bath & Body Works in Hawaii, I usually stock up on my layovers and give them as gifts.
kailani’s last blog post..aden + anais: Australian Muslin Baby Wraps (Giveaway)
I gave Lil’ Boys teachers a book and Read along DVD for his class. I gave some of his other teacher flowers.
Susan Lindgren’s last blog post..Can’t Stop Till You Get Enough
[…] This 40 does not includes dozens that I have given away throughout the year. In June, I made teacher gift bags and included 2 for each of NHL’s teachers (2), aids (2), and therapists […]