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Sunday, May 31, 2009
What was your best gift for a teacher?
In line with today’s column about teacher gifts, I was wondering what have been some of the best teacher gift ideas in the Miami Valley.
Do you have a gift you gave a teacher that you thought was awesome, and that he or she loved?
Teachers, what have been your favorite gifts to get? Which ones do you prefer not to receive?
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Here’s the Deal: Good presents for teachers
Not only is it time to honor our graduates with gifts, but it is time to recognize those people who have helped the many students along their paths to achievement — the teachers.
But sometimes it is difficult to know what to get for your child’s teacher and how much is appropriate to spend on those end-of-the-year gifts.
Tammy Wrobleski, a clinic assistant in the office at Monticello Elementary School in Huber Heights, said many teachers appreciate gift certificates.
“A gift certificate to either to a teachers’ store or for a night out,” Wrobleski said. “That’s what they really want.”
Mindy Catalano, a third-grade teacher at Smith Elementary School in Oakwood, agreed that gift certificates are good for teachers, but said she thinks that the best end-of-the-year gifts are those inspired by the students.
“Some of my past favorites were a flower pot with all of the students thumbprints and signatures on it, a school bag with all of the signatures, a T-shirt with each child’s handprint and a cute quote, and a stone with the kids thumbprints,” Catalano said.
“I have also enjoyed getting notes from the students telling me what they enjoyed about the class and/or what they were going to miss.”
Catalano said she doesn’t like the idea of parents putting money into gifts because of the economy, and that teachers don’t do this job for monetary rewards.
“(But), I think we all enjoy gift cards that we can use over the summer months.” Wrobleski, who also has worked at the high school level, said that if you do spend money, around $20 is a good amount.
Another option to save money is to pool your resources with other parents and get a present together.
Christine Jahn, a Kettering mother of four, has coordinated many personalized presents for her daughters’ classrooms.
“Especially with the economy like it is, going in together is a good option,” Jahn said. “And it is nice if parents can send in what they can — whatever they can afford. That way, if someone can’t afford it or forgets, no one would really know.”
“Besides,” Jahn added, “teachers can only have so many mugs and magnets.”
Some of the presents Jahn has created for teachers include a canvas director’s chair decorated with the kids’ thumbprints that were then made into ladybugs, and a canvas tote bag decorated with thumbprint acorns.
“I think teachers really appreciate a personalized gift,” she said. “And I always put the year on there. It just takes one of the parents taking the time to coordinate it.”
So, in addition to personalized group gifts and gift certificates, here are some more options for end-of-the-year teacher presents:
Photo album: It has become easy to create photo albums online for teacher gifts due to digital technology. Have moms of the other kids in the class pitch in for the cost, as needed, as well as pitching in some digital photos for the album. Add words from each of the kids if possible.
Books: Make a contribution to the teacher’s classroom library. Make it a book that means a lot to you.
“The Teacher’s Calendar”: This is an inexpensive book ($14 at Amazon.com) keeps teachers in the day-to-day know of upcoming holidays, historic events, birthdays, and special days, weeks, and months.
Charitable contribution: Make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or another charity in the teacher’s name.
Basket of goodies: Is your teacher a chocolate lover? Popcorn nut? Diet Coke fiend? If you know your teacher’s favorite edible goodie, put it in a nice basket for her or him.
Flowers/plant: Does the teacher like to garden? Something pretty to have in the classroom or at home might be appreciated by a nature-loving teacher.
Letter of praise: Did you love your child’s teacher? A letter of praise addressed to the principal can be a wonderful token of appreciation. Cite why that teacher made a difference to your family.
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