Medeia Sharif, a writer and sixth- to eighth-grade language arts teacher of 20 years from Miami, says parents shouldn’t shy away from focusing on purely practical gifts like a laminator, easel, or desk organizer. “Even though I love getting items for my classroom, the idea that someone gets me something that I want as an individual is even more special,” Holt says. A personalized tote bag or a massage gun for a teacher training for a race can show you put a little extra thought into your gift. Ed., an ELA interventionist for second and third-grade students and founder of Happy Teacher Mama, explains that while classroom gifts are always helpful, personalization can be extra meaningful. “It’s nice to know that I have an impact on their child's life and that the parents are happy with the care I provide.”Īll of the teachers we spoke to said they appreciated any gift that made an effort to demonstrate a personal touch. “As a teacher, the best gift to receive is a card from the parents,” Harrington explains. You may want to give your child’s teacher the moon, but your own budget is certainly at the forefront when choosing a gift, especially if you have more than one child who each has multiple teachers.īut not to worry: Melissa Harrington, an infant room teacher at Kiddie Academy of Abingdon in Maryland says she’s most comfortable receiving gifts in the $5-$10 gift range, like an acrylic dry-erase board, dry-erase marker holder, or a simple gift card.Īnd even more budget-friendly? A thank-you note. Gift-giving tends to drop off in the high school grades, so we can almost guarantee that any gesture towards a high school teacher will be appreciated-and yes, gift cards totally count. For instance, an elementary teacher may be downright inundated with coffee mugs and candles, so you could consider picking up something a little different, like surprising them with a Stanley Tumbler or an Amazon Fire tablet as a group gift. The types of gifts you buy a teacher can vary widely based on your child’s age and grade. Along with your child’s teacher's personal preferences and interests, here are some other things to keep in mind. For instance, you may want to be careful when sending any food gifts or scented products, because of potential allergies in the classroom. Just don’t forget to include that thank-you note with your gift too.įactors to Consider When Choosing a Teacher’s GiftĬhoosing a gift for your child’s teacher is something deeply personal, and you can never go wrong with a heartfelt gesture, but if you want some guidance in buying a gift, there are a few factors you can consider. We based these selections on interviews with teachers, real-life experiences as parents, and practical gifts for the classroom. “Teachers are very resourceful and appreciate all acts of kindness and gift-giving,” she notes.Īnd while a thank-you note may be all your child’s teacher wants, if you would like to show your appreciation for the people who spend so much time and energy educating and caring for your children, we have some suggestions for some of the best teacher gifts that you can buy (for prices ranging from $6 to $100). If you decide to buy your child’s teacher a present, however, Fraley encourages parents not to spend money on anything “outlandish” but to focus on gifts that can be practical in the classroom, personalized, or reflective of the teacher as an individual. For instance, a thoughtful thank-you note, a picture of a cherished memory together, or a heartfelt picture from a student are heartfelt gift ideas. “My favorite gift to receive as a teacher is something from the heart,” says Elizabeth Fraley, M.Ed., CEO of Kinder Ready Inc. That’s a relief to hear, but when it’s time for Teacher Appreciation Week, the end of the school year, or the holidays, we sometimes want to give our kids’ teachers something we can buy too. Every teacher will probably tell you the same thing: The best teacher gifts are the things that cost absolutely nothing.
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