Good teacher gifts?
Jane Schrock
decide what to get his teacher for Christmas. Do teachers like personal
gifts or classroom gifts? His teacher is in her second year of teaching.
I was thinking of getting her the book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and
Listen So Kids Will Talk". I am planning on purchasing it for myself to
help me with my three kids but I have not yet read it. I have heard good
things about it from people who have read it. Would you be offended from a
gift like this? I volunteer in the classroom once a week and I see that her
disciplining is somewhat inconsistent. I believe that she is a good teacher
and will get better with experience and that this book could help her.
Janey
Jan
"The Great Animal Search" by Usborne Books at Home. Also,I see what
the kids are studying and try to select a book that fits into the
curriculum. The teachers always seem very appreciative of these gifts
and often say that they use them both in the classroom and at home with
their own children.
~Jan
P.S. I last taught in a classroom 9 1/2 years ago and I STILL have
quite a selection of "teacher" coffee mugs.
M. Kilgore
Jane Schrock wrote in message <72cq90$2...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
Speaking as the husband of a teacher, the best gift you can give a teacher
is 2 pounds of Millionaires candy. I wouldn't give her a book that she might
might interpret as being critical of her methods until I had read the book
first, and even then I'd probably think long and hard before I gave the book
to a teacher I liked as the gift of such a book could be easily be taken the
wrong way.
mark
Joe
the teacher a gift certificate to a book store. I received a $10.00 gift
certificate to BORDERS last year; it was the best present of the year.
Mabray44
>decide what to get his teacher for Christmas. Do teachers like personal
>gifts or classroom gifts?
I'd go with the gift certificate to a teacher store or bookstore. Having spent
about $300 of my own money so far because I still don't have a budget, I wish
the parents would contribute more. Every $10 helps.
-Mary Ann
"I am only one, but still I am one, I cannot do everything, but still I can do
something." - Helen Keller
Thomas Nixon
representations of cash such as gift certificates), no. Which is too bad
because I like gift certificates to bookstores.
tom nixon
Jane Schrock
After reading the notes and responses I've received, I am wondering if
teachers think they have nothing left to learn, especially from non-teacher
parents. Because they are teachers,
they must know everything. Communicating with 5 and 6 year olds can be
quite challenging. I am excited about reading this book because I think it
will make me a better parent. My take is that my son's teacher should know
that she needs to work on disciplining, order in the classroom,
student/teacher communication and would welcome a book to help her in that
endeavor. But then again as she was talking about her dog and a student
walked by she said "I have one of these just a year younger". So I guess
she thinks kids are just pets. She is childless so I'll give her a break on
that one even though it really perturbs me. I've decided against the book
and will probably opt for a gift certificate to a teacher store or
restaurant. Though I may throw in the book too if I feel daring. Although
if giving her the gift would cause her to treat my son differently I won't
do it. That would really be ashame. Would you treat a student differently
if you received the book as a gift?
M. Kilgore
Jane Schrock wrote in message <72el1b$5...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
After reading the above, I question your motives. There seems to be more
going on here than just a simple desire to help a teacher. If you have
issues with your son's teacher that affect you son then you should approach
those issues head-on with the teacher instead of pussy-footing around by
giving her a book that you hope she'll read. Most of the teachers I know
appreciate the direct approach.
If you have issues with the teacher, but those issues do not directly affect
your son then you have no "standing" in the matter that would allow you to
bypass normal channels to criticize the teacher's style or methods. Go ahead
and give her the book and hope she won't be offended by the pussy-footing if
you have issues without standing. The safest thing for planning purposes is
to assume she will be offended. I doubt she'd take it out on your son, but
remember that teachers aren't required to accept the help of a volunteer and
you could lose your weekly chance to see your son working in the classroom.
If you don't have an real issues with the teacher and just want to pass on
the book as a friend, then a better approach would be for you to purchase
your own copy of the book, read it, and then interject it into normal
conversations off and on. If the teacher shows any interest then you could
offer to let her borrow it.
Of course, as the husband of a teacher, I cannot over emphasize that a 2
pound box of Millionaires is a most excellent gift for a teacher.
mark
Curtis Payne
been teaching for 13 years and I have zillions of mugs and other
nik-naks that seem to clutter up my home. They are all appreciated but
there are gifts that are more practical. I personally like goodies to
eat. But the best gifts, if you can afford it, are gift certificates to
local restaurants. This is what I buy my kids teachers. Even McDonalds
gift certificates are exciting to teachers. Many don't get out much,
especially if they are young or newly married and have children.
Curtis
Jane Schrock wrote:
>
> Hi, I am not a teacher, but a parent of a kindergartener who is trying to
> decide what to get his teacher for Christmas. Do teachers like personal
> gifts or classroom gifts? His teacher is in her second year of teaching.
> I was thinking of getting her the book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and
> Listen So Kids Will Talk". I am planning on purchasing it for myself to
> help me with my three kids but I have not yet read it. I have heard good
> things about it from people who have read it. Would you be offended from a
> gift like this? I volunteer in the classroom once a week and I see that her
> disciplining is somewhat inconsistent. I believe that she is a good teacher
> and will get better with experience and that this book could help her.
>
> Janey
Kate
Why are gift certificates a no no?
Kate
Joan Conrad
> After reading the notes and responses I've received, I am wondering if
> teachers think they have nothing left to learn, especially from non-teacher
> parents. Because they are teachers,
> they must know everything. Communicating with 5 and 6 year olds can be
> quite challenging. I am excited about reading this book because I think it
> will make me a better parent. My take is that my son's teacher should know
> that she needs to work on disciplining, order in the classroom,
> student/teacher communication and would welcome a book to help her in that
> endeavor. But then again as she was talking about her dog and a student
> walked by she said "I have one of these just a year younger". So I guess
> she thinks kids are just pets. She is childless so I'll give her a break on
> that one even though it really perturbs me. I've decided against the book
> and will probably opt for a gift certificate to a teacher store or
> restaurant. Though I may throw in the book too if I feel daring. Although
> if giving her the gift would cause her to treat my son differently I won't
> do it. That would really be ashame. Would you treat a student differently
> if you received the book as a gift?
Dear Ms.Schrock,
I have been following this thread for a few days and feel that
you have received many good suggestions for gifts. You asked for, and
got, input from teachers and other parents. You say that you volunteer
in the teacher's classroom. Then you state that you think that her
discipline is not all that it should be, and you would like to "help"
her by giving her a "how to" book on discipline. Ms.Schrock, I would NOT
like to have you as a volunteer at my school. A volunteer is one who
comes into the school to assist teachers and staff with tasks that have
been assigned. It is the perogative and responsibility of the
administration to review and evaluate the competence of teachers, not
volunteers. If you have concerns about the discipline in the classroom
where you volunteer, be honest enough to discuss it with the principal.
Teachers are not always right, and I have yet to meet one at any
level who has all the answers. There are, however, in every school
system, guide lines for evaluating teacher performance, and lines of
communication that are in place for parents to express their concerns. I
do not think that giving the book would be "daring". I think it is
presumptious and insulting. I don't think that you will appreciate the
content of this post, and I'm sure you would resent it if I sent you a
book on being a good parent or volunteer. Do the moccasins pinch a
little?
- Joan Conrad
The Little School House
To teach is to touch eternity.
CharleneC
I've decided against the book and will probably opt for a gift certificate to a
teacher store or restaurant. Though I may throw in the book too if I feel
daring. Although if giving her the gift would cause her to treat my son
differently I won't do it. That would really be ashame. Would you treat a
student differently if you received the book as a gift?
__________________
J,
I try very hard not to blame the child for the "sins" of his/her parent. I
imagine the others here will say the same--unfortunately that won't help you
make your decision because we are not your child's teacher. If you have any
doubt (and obviously you do) about how this teacher will respond to the book,
DON'T give it to her. OR, next time you meet with her have the book in hand,
if she comments on it, give it to her......
Charlene-- Don't go
around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing, it was
here first. --Mark Twain
Thomas Nixon
sense. You can give me a book, but don't let me pick out my own. Actually, there
were a couple of cases where teachers were given large gift certificates (hundreds
of dollars). And, yes, there are parents out there that want to ingratiate
themselves and their children into your good graces.
Mostly I think it's a rather silly policy.
Tom
