End Of Year Teacher Gifts They Will Really Use!
Take it from me, at the end of the school year, teacher’s want one thing – rest. Saying good bye is the hardest part of this teacher’s year – no kidding. Even though some of the kids drive you up a wall all year long, when graduation hits, there isn’t a dry eye in the house. The end of the year cards are my favorite, especially when the child writes a personal note inside. A fellow teacher friend of mine told me years ago to keep a photo album of all the cards and notes that we are given, and to take it out on the really rough days when you are feeling down. Reading these notes can definitely re-charge a teacher’s morale when feeling down. Some of the students do give end of year gifts, and here are a few of my personal favorites:
- gift cards of any kind are always appreciated
- school supplies – often we aren’t given them by the school and pay an enormous amount of $ out of pocket
- movie theater gift cards
- hand cream (we really do use it everyday!)
- grading stamps/tools
- non-perishable snacks (sunflower seeds, granola bars etc)
- stationery
- grown up coloring books and colored pencils
- chart paper and markers
We appreciate the parents that go the extra mile to thank us yet sometimes the generosity is too great and we have to politely decline. The general rule is that a teacher cannot accept a gift valued over $20. One year I had a parent give me a $100 gift card to Bloomingdales and I had to return it with tears in my eyes.
Four days and counting. Have a wonderful summer to all of my fellow teachers, paras, assistants, administrators,counselors, secretaries, custodial staff and anyone else associated with working with children 180 days a year.
