My teacher is leaving my school to switch to another school this year and I want to give her a great gift for the end of the year. This teacher and I have a very close relationship, I call her my “school mom” and she calls me her “school daughter”. Despite her leaving, we are still going to be involved in each other’s lives after she leaves and she will basically take on the role of my “aunt”. She has always been there for me and before she leaves I was thinking about getting her a $100 Macy’s gift card. Is this too excessive? I certainly don’t want her to decline it because it’s so much or portray the message that “I’m rich” by giving her a card worth so much money. I do worry about sending this message because she already teases me for being so much richer than her and being spoiled by my parents. I certainly don’t feel like that’s too much for everything that she’s done for me but she might think I’m crazy.
If you think it is too much, it might be. Also, you want to not put her in a bind of being too close to the students.
Your school may have a limit.
I would think $25 max would be reasonable.
Most school systems will have a limit as to the value of the gift a teacher (or other public employee) may accept. In my school system, that limit is $50. As a teacher, I will tell you that the most meaningful and memorable gifts I have received over the years have been heartfelt, personal notes of thanks. I have saved every one, and remember the kids who wrote them with great affection.
A nice card/ letter and a $25 gift card to a book store would be more appropriate.