Teachers gift on the first day of school- Opinions?

[raesana]

I grew up in a smaller community and definitely plan to give gifts to my son's teacher and classmates during holidays, but I got some great clearance supplies at Staples and wanted to maybe make some little gift bags for him to give his two teachers on the first day of school. They're just little pens, binder clips, magnets, paper clips- but the really nice decorative ones that no one ever buys for themselves.

Is this inappropriate? and will it make the relationship between my son and his teacher "weird"? He's in preschool (which he calls "preachschool" because he thinks he's going to be a preacher. lol!).

Teachers or not- what do you think?

[rdot]

I taught seventh grade for 12 years and would have loved to get something like this! If he was going to be in middle school I would suggest giving to the teacher during the orientation time or "meet the teacher night" because you know how middle school kids would tease each other about it. For preschool, kindergarten or first grade, I would say give it to the teacher when you drop your son off for the first day. Attach a card that says good luck one the first day or something like that.

[anaj06]

I have never heard of anyone doing this....I don't think that means you can't though...you could save them and give them at Christmas or Teacher Appreciation week....that is probably what I would do with them.

[raesana]

Lol! I know, but when you start finding good deals it's like the giving gets easier and so you want to do it more and more. I have to admit, I probably have a shopping addiction. But the kind that doesn't make you go completely broke! Lol!

I guess my real concern is that the teacher will treat my son differently because of it. I don't want her to favor him because he gave her a gift, but I also don't want her to be harder on him because she wants us to know that he's not favored because of the gift, KWIM? I'm not sure if that makes sense.

Rdot- do you find that teachers tilt their feelings about students based on certain things or are they usually taught to remain unbiased?

[ncbrunet]

I would send it on the first day of school. Teacheers have to buy that stuff out of their own pocket now with all the budget cuts (or at least here they do) and I think any teacher would love to have that gift.

Teacher appreciation week is near the end of school so I would not wait that long.

I think it is a great idea and I might do that same thing!!!

Marsha

[rdot]

Rdot- do you find that teachers tilt their feelings about students based on certain things or are they usually taught to remain unbiased?

I am not sure this is what you mean but here is my 2 cents worth.

With me, I always had my feelings towards certain students based on what the students did, never the parent, older brother/sister etc. All my students came with a blank slate. Our school was a 4-8 grade school but I would not look at their previous grades, or talk too much to their previous teachers unless an issue came up. I would judge each student by their behavior, work ethic, etc in my class. Even looking back now, some of my favorite students were the ones that were the school "troublemakers".

Edited to better answer question (I think )

I tried my hardest to never "judge" a child based on anything other than how they acted in my class. A present or a helpful parent or a brother who is in jail for murder (and unfortunately I had a few of those) didn't make a difference to me. Hope that answers your question.

[Dreams4us4]

i think it is a nice gesture but if it were me i would keep it for x-mas or another holiday throughout the school year just to let them know you appreciate what they are doing.

[raesana]

That's exactly what I was wondering, rdot. Thanks and reps.

Anyone else want to chime in? I feel like I should have made a poll...

[CouponSAHM]

I think it's wonderful and if you gave a gift a week it would never be enough, compared to the out of pocket these teachers face each year!! After the first day gift you could always just do an anoymous type thing :)

[kurautismnow]

I have always done this and it has just been appreciated, nothing more. Llike some others have said, teachers reach into their own purses now a days. I also give gifts (small ones though, like the free air freshners I stock pile LOL) at other times through out the year as well, like Christmas, teacher appreciation, end of school, etc. I think they would love it!!