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<p>Woah, really? Thanks for the heads-up…</p>
<p>S had three teachers give LORs. He gave his Senior year English teacher a copy of “The Orphan Masters Son” with a nice note, his Junior Year English teacher got a thank you note and a coffee mug from his college for her, and his history teacher who recommended him for the special law program got a note with a Law School travel mug. This was in the last couple weeks of school. He just went back to visit all of them yesterday at his high school.</p>
<p>As a teacher who routinely writes LOR’s each year, I can truthfully say that I don’t ever want a gift. However, a thank you letter (hand-written, please 
) is so nice! I would even venture to say that a gift is a little creepy.</p>
<p>Franglish,
I’m sorry you find the gifts creepy. I had such an appreciation for the 2 teachers who wrote letters in 1 day, and the GC who put the entire application together on the Friday before winter vacation.
Some old timers may recall that the worm got into trouble for taking 5 classes at local U, while in junior year. They didn’t want to pay for any more classes. The GC suggested he take a chance and apply for colleges then, giving him 3 days for one U, and 2 weeks for the rest. The teachers had to have their letters in ASAP. The math teacher had a prior letter on file, but the worm had to seek out someone else who had the time.
I was delighted to give them all gift certificates to local mall, plus the GC a Levenger pen. She really put herself out. If not for GC’s suggestion to apply as a junior, he would have had a miserable senior year. In addition, his close friend decided to apply also. Even though he only applied to flagship U, it was the same GC doing the work!</p>
<p>I feel like it’s a little creepy because of the competition that can result. “My gift is better than yours.” That really does happen. It sounds, from your story, that the teachers and GC in your child’s life are wonderful supports for their students. They are lucky to have them. When gifts enter into the picture, it casts a whole different light on the nature of our jobs. I would bet that many other teachers feel similarly to the way I feel. Really and truly-- thank you notes are the most appreciated of all. They come with more thought and sincerity than any gift (perhaps with the exception of something home made) could ever have.</p>
<p>I honestly never thought about the competition issue. No one ever asked me if I gave a gift, and I would never bring up the topic. My son wrote his own thank you notes. </p>
<p>Do teachers compare?</p>
<p>My son gave his notes and gifts after school ended, so the competition or kiss-up factor should have passed.</p>
<p>I love the idea of sending thank you notes and a small gift. My one concern is that other than the GC, the two teachers recs were from teachers that he is currently in class with. Does it seems kind of inappropriate to give a gift to a teacher who is still grading you? Would it be better to wait until the end of the year, just before graduation? I do like the idea of giving the college mug, maybe filled with chocolates.</p>
<p>I gave them all a thank you card and a gift card (to Target, etc.) before Winter break, as a happy holidays gift</p>