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Teacher’s Gifts Gone Wild

By //  by Robin Edwards 9 Comments

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Thank-you

It’s getting close to the end of the school year and that can only mean one thing. No, not summer vacation or report cards – TEACHER GIFTS! Which leads me to ask, why? Why are we buying presents for people who are getting paid for what they do? This is, after all, their career choice we’re talking about, not a volunteer position. While I know many incredible teachers who do a tremendous job nurturing young minds and hearts, teacher’s gifts have gone wild – for some parents at least.

I recently received an email from a parent at my son’s high school asking me to help provide food for the upcoming teacher/parent interview night. A helpful list was forwarded for people to assign themselves to brownies, fruit trays, cookies etc. so as to provide a pleasing assortment of treats to ensure the teachers make it through the evening. I’m sure that carrot sticks and ranch dip are helpful. Personally, after dealing all day with classes of sullen teens and then their helicopter parents, I think they would much rather have a few cases of beer and a LARGE bottle of vodka.

When my son was in primary school, we had teacher appreciation WEEK. On Monday we brought pastries and baked goods. On Tuesday, each child brought a single flower to gather into a large bouquet of flowers. On Wednesday, a nice light ‘spa’ lunch was served. Thursday saw poems or gratitude cards written. And Friday, a magnificent luncheon was served with a theme such as ‘Hollywood’ or ‘Beach Vacation’ complete with fanciful decorations and more food than the entire school would be able to consume. Those parents who didn’t want to slave over a hot stove could donate cash or volunteer their time to supervise children in the classrooms while the staff enjoyed the opulent spread.

you get a car

I also wonder whether this may be a thinly veiled attempt by some parents to suck up to their child’s teacher. Why would Mrs. Smith give little Billy a low mark when his mother slaved over the preparation of lobster thermidor for 36 people? That might mean an end to such extravagance and bacchanalia. And what happens to those parents who don’t have the time or extra cash to make nice with the school staff? Does that mean the teachers will think they don’t care about their children’s welfare? You don’t want to be THAT mom. The shade thrown on the blacktop at pickup would be hard to live down. It’s unlikely that providing a fancy dish for the staff room has any effect on grading, but the parental intent is there and that’s what creates all this one-upmanship.

There isn’t an ‘Appreciation Week’ for the guy who checks your oil at the gas station or your gynecologist, or the millions of other jobs out there. I believe everyone deserves to be applauded for doing what they do well, but when parents start pooling their money to give teachers hundreds of dollars of gifts, it seems excessive.

Perhaps, instead of presenting Mrs. Smith with yet another ‘World’s Best Teacher’ coffee mug, what she would appreciate more is parents volunteering their time: in the classroom reading to kids, or helping cut out 30 pumpkin heads for the Halloween party, or even coming along on a field trip to supervise. There are plenty of ways to say thank you – even by just letting the teacher know that they have made a difference. Besides, kind words and compliments are the best gift anyone could ever receive.

 

Image source: TayaRadio, QuickMeme

 

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Filed Under: Hot Topics, Living Tagged With: end of school year gifts, gifts for teachers, Teachers gifts, what to give a teacher

About Robin Edwards

Family, friends, fashion, food and fun are Robin’s other favourite F words. Robin Edwards has lived all over the world but has settled right back where she began. She’s a thrill ride addict that doesn’t mind admitting to driving ten hours to New Jersey just to hit the tallest rollercoaster in the world. She will also spend days hunting down the best poutine in the city as well as the best price on a designer handbag. Robin is seriously considering filing a class action suit against restaurants that claim to offer ‘All Day Breakfast’ but close at 4pm. She frequently posts pics of sushi on Instagram and tweets about everything from food trucks to fashion week @ShopWithRobin. Robin blogs about shopping on the aptly named Shop With Robin.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan

    June 11, 2015 at 10:00 am

    I am SO with you on this one! Where we live, it’s not unlikely to see Coach wallets being handed out. WHAT? WHAT? I believe in rewarding anyone that goes above and beyond – regardless of what they do – but buying a gift just because you feel you have to is bs.

    Reply
    • Robin Edwards

      June 13, 2015 at 9:54 am

      WHAT WHAT is right! Coach wallets? That’s madness!

      Reply
  2. Sabrina Goodfellow

    June 11, 2015 at 10:11 am

    I wish you could see me standing her giving you a standing ovation!! I agree with you 100% well done!!!!!

    Reply
    • Robin Edwards

      June 13, 2015 at 9:55 am

      Ahhh – thanks Sabrina! I know you get it!

      Reply
  3. peady

    June 11, 2015 at 10:37 am

    “There are plenty of ways to say thank you” <– THIS!

    I love teachers and they know it. The extra special ones hear it a LOT. In fact, I try to make a point to not only let the teachers know, but to go one step further and let their Principals know. It matters.

    The day I can afford a Coach *anything* – for myself – I still wouldn't buy it. I am practical. Frugal. That's my way.

    Other parents have their own ways. The parents who think a gift will sway a grade are utterly clueless as to the curriculum outcomes expected and the stringency by which teachers must interpret said curriculum/outcomes/grading requirements. Dingbats gotta dingbat, I suppose. 😉

    Meanwhile, you nailed it with, "Besides, kind words and compliments are the best gift anyone could ever receive." and that is why I am going to share the bajoopees out of this post. 😀

    Reply
    • Robin Edwards

      June 13, 2015 at 9:56 am

      “Dingbats gotta dingbat” – Peady THIS is my new mantra! 🙂

      Reply
  4. SUE LOGAn

    June 11, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    Robin, in all my years teaching the best gift was always a sincere verbal or written thank you from a parent mentioning a specific reason for the thanks. Nothing else beats it except a hand painted rock with a heart on it made by the child. Great rant.

    Reply
    • Robin Edwards

      June 13, 2015 at 9:57 am

      Susan, I bet you were the BEST teacher! And yes – telling people they are appreciated is so very important in any and every part of life!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Five Last Minute Teacher Gifts For the Chronically Late Parent - Life In Pleasantville says:
    June 19, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    […] but with a very short list and a little helper or two, you can give a great gift of thanks without breaking the bank. Your kids will feel proud that they played a big part and your child’s teacher will […]

    Reply

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