On 11/23/2014 missy1 said: On 11/23/2014 happygal said: People think teachers get off work at 3:30 and relax the whole summer, but it isn't true. They work so very hard, take work home, buy things with their own money, have extra committee assignments at school, after-school staff meetings, stay in at recess and after school to help a struggling child or meet with parents, arrive at school early, and much more. As for summer, it takes that long to recouperate physically and mentally from the school year, and many teachers do summer projects, teach summer school, and even enter their classrooms to work up the plans for the coming year, water plants, tend to classroom pets, and so forth. Seriously, it is grueling. Edited to add: back-breaking clean-up after 30 kids doing a messy art project or science experiment.
Don't give teachers "stuff" like mugs, ornaments, "#1 Teacher" doo-dads. Best received are gift cards, food. It doesn't have to be expensive, and be sure to include a card at least signed by the child and even a note from the child.
I know teachers who ask the kids for no gifts, but bring a gift for a family the classroom adopts or bring pet supplies for the local animal shelter.
People don't understand. It's not like they work 7-4, and clock out. There's so much to do, on your own time. The teachers here start off around 30,000. Sure they are overpaid. LOL
As a non teaching, but heavily volunteering parent, I can tell you that for the most part, teachers 'work' as much or more hours during the year as any other full time plus employee.
My son attended private school for 10 years, and a small one. The pay was below the 'excessively overpaid' public school teachers in our area, the benefits less. Yet these dedicated people gave countless hours to develop and implement very academically advanced curriculum and go the extra mile. They went on overnight camping trips with the kids twice a year, sleeping on the cold hard ground, and hiking and canoeing, regardless of the weather. They stayed after, came in early, spent their summers developing new programs, stayed after for science fairs, concerts, plays, etc. They missed lots of time with their own families to support and encourage our students.
I think one reason so many don't respect the work that teachers do is that in your typical public school system today, the parents are pretty much not present. Whether the system prefers it or the parents can't/don't participate, they miss what is going on in the classroom on a daily basis. I was so very fortunate to be in the school building on an almost daily basis doing anything from assisting in the classroom to working the lunchroom, to working the various fundraising projects and book fairs. If you aren't there, and don't develop a close relationship with the staff, you really don't get the picture of what is going on both during the school day and after.
Yes, there are those teachers that just get by, like in all professions, you have your achievers and you have your slackers. I'd suggest that anyone who thinks the job is a piece of cake get into the school, work along side the people you entrust your children/grandchildren to on a daily basis, and see if your opinion doesn't change.
Oh, and climbing down off my soap box, and to answer the OP's question, most teachers really do want things for the class room. So a gift card to somewhere that sells grade appropriate things is the nicest. At our school, at least elementary and junior high, they liked to have their own classroom libraries, and would put a wish list at the Scholastic Book Fair, and greatly appreciated if you would buy something from their wish list.
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