No matter how hard we try, it always seems like the holidays inevitably turn into one big stress-fest. There are parties to host, trips to plan and — last but certainly not least – gifts to buy.
And for many parents, the pressure gets even worse when it comes time to finding gifts for some very special people in their lives: their kids’ teachers. In fact, the idea of getting teachers gifts can throw some parents into a full-blown panic. (Google “What should I give my kids’ teachers,” and you’ll see what we mean.)
That being said, is it really necessary — or appropriate — for parents to get teachers gifts? Is this what teachers ACTUALLY want?
So, we decided to ask five educators to weigh in on this issue. Here’s what they had to say:
1) Stop Overthinking It. There’s No Pressure
“Should teachers get a holiday gift? I think ‘should’ is the wrong word. There are many people who contribute to educating kids each day in school. Some get more recognition than others. I think teachers are underappreciated, so anything parents can do to express appreciation is a good thing, but a larger, more important question is, what are schools doing to acknowledge teachers, and staffs? If school administrators asked each student at the end of the year, to write down what they are grateful for, about each individual who worked with them all year, that would be, hands down, more gratifying than any purchased, holiday gift could possibly be. That type of acknowledgement of what teachers give, day in and day out, would be incredibly meaningful, and make it all worthwhile. Much better than a store-bought gift, any day.”
– Matthew A. Kraft, Ed.D., assistant professor of education and economics, Brown University
2) It’s Always the Thought That Counts
“A gift to a teacher is a thoughtful gesture that should never, ever feel like an obligation. As a teacher, I never expect to receive a gift at any time, holidays or otherwise. Teaching is not a profession where we expect ‘payback’ of any kind (like tipping your waiter, hairdresser, newspaper deliverer, etc.). So, careful parents, wishing not to offend, need not rush to buy a quick gift card for their child’s teachers. The best gift you give us is joining us in collaborative partnership in the education of your child. Give us is a kind and respectful child that is prepared to learn each day, and we’ll do the rest. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with a non-holiday gift. Those are sometimes the best. A surprise batch of cookies in the middle of February can go a long way!”
– Lee Vartanian, Ph.D., associate professor of teacher education, campus director of teaching fellows, Lander University
3) Make It Meaningful
“Gifts make teachers feel really appreciated. Gift cards are a wonderful option, because teachers need to buy things for their classes, and this is a great way for us to have extra money to do this. Homemade cards, in which the student expresses their thanks are always appreciated, as well. I know when I receive cards, or small tokens from my students, I often cry, and it makes my entire day to hear they learned from me, and appreciate what I do. It makes teaching worth it, when we learn about the impact we have had on a student’s life. I would say no however, to giving a gift of cash, alcohol or cigarettes. Spending anywhere from $10-$25 is typical for a teacher’s gift, but I have gotten $5 Starbucks gift cards from students who know I love coffee, and greatly appreciated those too.”
– Theresa Catalano, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
4) Class Gifts Alleviate Any Competition
“Gifts to teachers can be a good idea, especially if the gift is given anonymously, from the entire class. Ideally, the parents could be approached through email, phone calls, or Facebook by the class parent or PTA chair, to make a contribution to the gift. Once the contribution is collected, it should be given without acknowledgement of the parents who gave, or omission of those who didn’t. It’s important that parents feel no obligation to contribute, and are not ostracized if they do not.”
– Robert Cherry, Ph.D., professor of economics, Brooklyn College, City University of New York
5) A Thoughtful Note Works Just as Well
“If you’re in a financial position to give a gift, teachers often appreciate gift cards to common stores. In my experience, teachers have no preference in regards to the timing of the gift. The price range should depend upon the financial position of the families, as this can often vary, even within the same classroom. It is important that gifts are not presented in front of all of the students, as the price disparity between families’ gifts may emphasize the socioeconomic inequity present in schools. While teachers are grateful for any expression of thanks, often families don’t realize the power of a written note. Regardless of where educators teach across the country, most have a special place where they keep heartfelt notes of appreciation written by both families and students. These letters can ‘feed’ teachers for weeks, as often their countless hours in behind-the-scenes preparation, grading, and planning go beyond the school day. And on the most difficult of days, teachers often go back and read these special letters of gratitude.”
– Anthony M. Kline, Ph.D., assistant professor and interim dean, Franks School of Education, Trine University
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Follow her on Twitter
