My girls last day of Pre-K is tomorrow. I am so appreciative of the teachers and the help, structure, guidance and care they have shown my girls. I want to do something to let them know how much I appreciate them, but am not sure what to do. The kicker is that I am a teacher. I teach art so I don't get the end of year "oh we love you" letters or gifts. (I am okay with that- not a gripe)
I know that the teacher loves Hello Kitty and there are some really neat HK things on Zulily today. (they wouldn't get here in time of course, but thats okay)
I don't know whether to get something HK, a gift card to a restaurant or what. The other teacher (assistant) has been particularly great with one of my daughters who has some impulse control and sensory issues that we havnt had tested yet. I have no idea what kinds of things she likes.
This is hard! I do intend to write them both letters telling them how I feel, but want to do more.
Anyone have some really great ideas?
Ya'll are so Great! (and I'm guessing that whoever made a comment about the title deleted before I saw it-dont know if I could have handled it this week)
I have typed a formal letter that both teachers can use in their portfolios or with resumes and hand written it so they have it in a more personal form. I have to run to town between school and the parent night event this evening so we will check out what Walmart has in the way of Hello Kitty and gift cards. I sure wish we had something better in this tiny town of ours :) Target is an hour away :( but we do have some great restaurants in the area thanks to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg being so close!
And thanks Wild Woman for the "thank you". I do love what I do, but after 19 years and two toddlers, I do have my 'burned out' days. All I can say is thank God I don't have to teach math because I will be teaching 'til I die just to get my girls through college :D
My son is in PreK, and is definitely a bit of a challenge (understatement, if you ask me). I thought his teachers deserved a treat, so I got them gift cards to Cold Stone Creamery.
Maybe it's just me, but I think a treat is really what teachers need this time of year :-)
I'd have your girls make each teacher a card, jot in a note about what a wonderful year they had, and enclose a gift card. The teachers will love the cards and appreciate the gc.
I think a gift card is a good idea. Starbuck's is usually very appreciated around here. For the end of the year I got each of my kids' teachers a pint of super delicious ice cream (from an awesome homemade ice cream place near us) with a note that says 'Thanks for being a COOL teacher' and then I put a plastic spoon with it. It went over very well.
A note is what teachers really want. From you AND your child
I also have given movie tickets, gift cards to food places.. If I knew the teacher enjoyed Adult beverages.. a bottle of wine (or Tequila with a margarita recipe attached)..
Our daughters kinder teacher was awesome, (my husband had/has a crush on her)/. We even invited her to our daughters high school graduation party!
When our daughter graduated from college, she sent us the photo we gave her of the first day of school.. in kindergarten! there was our girl, with the giant back pack and this teacher.. She had saved it all of these years!
Menis and pedis certificate.
I'm going to vote for hand-written notes and cards. Maybe a gift card. Teachers get enough knick knacky stuff that they tend to appreciate the cards and letters more.
Many of you say that teachers appreciate the thank you card more than the gift--wrong. Maybe that is what you tell yourselves because you are guilty of not giving gifts to teachers.
Teachers walk to their cars at Christmas and at holidays noticing how many gifts their colleagues get.
The notes are great--but please include something tangible!
A nice note with a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks gift card. Emphasis on the note.
I hope you don't get a smart aleck comment from someone about your title. If you do, just ignore...
I cannot stand giving Hello Kitty to adults. I will never get why they like it.
Letters to the teachers will be great for them to put in their files. A picture of them with your child would be nice too. For a monetary gift, consider a gift card to a nice grocery.
I 've heard from teachers that they most enjoy a special handwritten card from a student/parents. I think it's nice that you are tailor the gift to the teacher, My son's teacher also likes Hello Kitty and uses hot pink markers to check off the student's work. so we've purchased, the hot pink sharpies, a hello kitty mug, and some other "pink items" one of which included a hot pink sparkly on the go mani/pedi set.. we also included a beautifully decorated candy bar.. (nowadays, so many chocolate makers are packaging the bars in artistic paper) ...
have your daughter include a note of thanks and you are set..
Also, I think your title is just fine...
A letter to thier supervisors will go a long way. It will go in their permenant file, to travel with them from job to job.
ETA.. well, you are near Pigeon Ford.. Gift cert to the Mill.. OMG the best food I have ever tasted! Just saying.
Beth:
To be honest? Many teachers do NOT get the heartfelt thanks - they get the traditional gifts - but they do not get the words of appreciation. The idea of writing the letter? LOVE IT!!
I'm not a Hello, Kitty! fan. So it would be hard for me to give that as a gift to an adult or child. However, if SHE likes it - find out if Target or Wal-Mart has a Hello, Kitty! pencil holder or something like that that she can use on her desk.
A thank you card with a gift card is a good idea. But the best thing in my mind? A heartfelt letter of thanks!!
Also - "specials" teachers like you, don't get the kudos they deserve - so THANK YOU!!!
