<p>OP: We don’t need mugs or chocolate or apple themed items. What we really want is a heart felt note giving us an idea of the impact we have had on the student. A letter that shares a vignette, something we did that they will never forget, a time we made them laugh or helped them through something. Those are what bring tears to our eyes. They are some of the most precious intrinsic rewards; the ones we hoped for when we began to teach.</p>
<p>The notes I have received from both parents and students and they are the gifts I treasure the most. Fat free, homemade and sincere.</p>
<p>Attach a material item to it if it makes you happy but trust that when we clean out our desks after retiring, those notes will be what we pack in the box to take home. They are and will continue to be what will help to sustain us and let us know that we lived a life that was impactful.</p>
<p>D gave the teachers who wrote her LOR a thank you note and homemade pumpkin bread. She will do the same for her counselor, but wants to wait until she gets in somewhere and then deliver the news at the same time. Thanks for the reminder about the secretary! We’ve given Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards to teachers in the past (there’s a store near the school), and they are much appreciated since one can buy an inexpensive breakfast or lunch as well as coffee.</p>
<p>Boy, good thing there isn’t a Dunkin’ Donuts on the way to our school or we’d all be as big as a house. The Krispy Kreme is about 12 minutes away, so fewer impulse purchases.</p>
<p>Included in the procedural instructions for rec requests from the guidance dept at D’s HS was the directive that the students should write a handwritten, personalized note of thanks to each recommender and to let them know the admissions outcomes. I think that is standard and expected. Gifts are not. I think gift giving depends on the relationship between student and teacher and the prevailing attitude in the school. </p>
<p>D also gave a floral bouquet to the guidance counselor and pretty medallion necklaces from Israeli jewelry designer Michal Negrin ([Jewelry</a> Designer,Home decor, Fashion items, Online : Michal Negrin medallion necklaces](<a href=“http://www.michalnegrin.com/370-EN/Michal_negrin_Collections.aspx]Jewelry”>http://www.michalnegrin.com/370-EN/Michal_negrin_Collections.aspx)) to both (female) teacher-recommenders. (Both teachers actually loved and wore them, too.) She had these teachers for multiple classes over the years, APs and electives and also as club advisors so they were pretty special to D. They have both served as personal references for jobs, etc., as well. D is still close to them and continues to visit during breaks and email with them throughout the year. D needed several scholarship recs, as well as admissions recs, and teachers also read her essays and gave moral support, etc., so she also wanted to show extra appreciation for the extra work and care involved over the years.</p>
<p>I barely set foot in D’s HS during the years she attended, but I went to see these two teachers after senior year classes ended to thank them in person for the positive influence they had on my D’s education, growth and outcomes. They each teared up as I expressed my gratitude, and I did, too. </p>
<p>That said, I think gift cards from bookstores or Amazon are always appreciated by teachers–not tacky at all. Frankly, anything that comes out of respect and appreciation and is from the heart is an appropriate gift.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your wonderful and thoughtful ideas! </p>
<p>We just bought some gift cards from bookstores and my son plans to give them to his teachers as a little token of appreciation for their time and effort.</p>
<p>one additional suggestion, especially for those teachers not wishing for additional calories!
Please send a note to the teachers’ supervisor (principal or educational school board). Teachers have many negative letters posted in their files by parents. Positive notes are also very important and much appreciated!!</p>
<p>My twins wanted to give something early, one English teacher was so over-worked and helped them a lot. They wrote a nice note and gave her some speciality tea which she likes. Another rec writer is a huge sport fan so they will pick a a little something out for that team and their GC they are waiting until they pick a college, and buy an mug or item with that name on it.
I agree the note of appreciation is very much appreciated, you always hear the complaints from parents and students, less so I bet, the thank you’s.</p>
<p>I think we’d all be unpleasantly surprised with how few kids write personal thank-you notes to those who write their LOR. I say this because Son’s letter was written by one of the most popular teachers in the school - perhaps the most popular. She had such a strong positive reaction to his note that it made me think that she doesn’t receive many of them.</p>
<p>I think manners have taken a nose-dive in a lot or areas. Even at the college level, students don’t think about saying or writing a thank you note for references or help. It’s is always appreciated.
I know one of my children’s teachers was not only touched by a thankyou note, but the gift showed she remembered things he liked in conversation. He really gushed about that!</p>
<p>As a former teacher, I can say that there are only so many mugs and little gifts that a teacher can use. It is always appreciated when a student gives a gift card. I loved the gift certificates to restaurants too. Your gift card does not need to be the full price of the restaurant dinner for two if this is over your budget. My best friend is still teaching and she has received very nice gifts, CDs, mani/pedi certificates, best seller books, a kindle, and depatment store gift certificates. These are just a few of the appreciated gifts that she has received. I know it is the thought that counts, but these teachers thought long and hard when writing letters for the kids or writing plans that would keep children involved and interested all year.
As a former teacher, I just could never send in something that the teacher kept in her basement until the next garage sale. My kids had some great teachers and they deserved my appreciation.</p>
<p>By the way, a hand written thankyou note is a must to be included with the gift. Teachers love to receive these because although a teachers thanks is in the job they do,they are not recognized for a job well done by their superiors or parents.</p>
<p>Trader joes usually has absolutely gorgeous orchids for about $20 - they flower for a long time and they can either bring them home or leave in their class/office.</p>