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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do teachers actually want?

190 replies

bellarations · 10/07/2014 09:40

At the end of term?
I know teachers don't actually expect presents, but what would like they most like to receive?
Please share your thoughts and ideas.
Is a class collection a better option?

OP posts:
Fragglewump · 10/07/2014 11:13

Wine please.

Nomama · 10/07/2014 11:14

In FE I like to get an email a year or so later, telling me all about how excited they have been at Uni/job/gap year.

I also like a good old fashioned thank you, even on a Post It! or scrap piece of paper.

My favourite email was from a girl who had taken my subject as a 4th AS and had no inclination to continue with it. She failed another subject in her AS year so she carried on with me and got a decent grade. She went off to do her degree. A year later she emailed telling me she had changed courses after a couple of weeks and was now specialising in not just my subject but my specific passion and thanked me for inspiring her choice.

THAT is what makes the job worth doing!

girlsyearapart · 10/07/2014 11:15

I was going to say wine too!
The hand written notes are good too

ScouseBird8364 · 10/07/2014 11:21

I think Wine is winning the vote so far Wink

KoalaDownUnder · 10/07/2014 11:24

I used to teach adult education. We really didn't expect anything, but I admit to being a bit gutted when the same students gave all their male teachers a bottle of alcohol, and their female teachers a tea towel/mug/keyring.

The notes or cards saying 'You were my favourite teacher ever!!' really were the best, though.

Original poster
bellarations · 10/07/2014 11:43

Thanks everyone.
Except Happy, I'm not a teacher. This is not thread about what teachers "want" it was a genuine question about what not to waste my money on since I have 4 school aged children.

OP posts:
HaLOL · 10/07/2014 11:48

I just got £10 gift cards from Costa for the teachers and TAs. I figured they could enjoy lunch, or a couple of coffees and cakes on us. DCs will also write personal cards.

RumPunch · 10/07/2014 12:36

Gin!

Itsfab · 10/07/2014 12:41

What do you do when the teacher wasn't great and failed to deliver a happy school year for your child?

Especially hard when your other child had teachers that were great and you want to thank them.

Fragglewump · 10/07/2014 12:42

Just get something for the teachers who have been great. There's not a list to record who does or doesn't get a present for the teacher.

crazyspaniel · 10/07/2014 12:47

I'm in HE. I find gifts a bit embarrassing (and we are not technically allowed to accept anything either - I was a bit shocked to read on here about £300 gift vouchers for teachers). What I appreciate the most is a card or even a thank you email from students - I find that much more meaningful than a present. Although a student did once paint me a lovely picture relating to the course I taught them, which I loved,

Diamondsareagirls · 10/07/2014 12:50

Happy Your attitude is beyond belief. Teachers are striking to stand up for the right to give your children the education they deserve. They are losing a day's pay which could be put towards supporting their own children so that they can show they are not willing to compromise the quality of education given to yours. Please don't choose to continue being so ignorant.

Salmotrutta · 10/07/2014 12:51

We Secondary teachers don't really get many presents which is totally understandable - imagine feeling obliged to go out and buy 8 or 9 gifts of varying sorts Grin

BUT I have been given cards/gifts (got a couple this year) and I must say I have been very chuffed when I've received hand made cards signed by whole classes.

I don't expect gifts but it's lovely when a pupil thanks you verbally or by a card. Smile

AvonCallingBarksdale · 10/07/2014 12:58

What about vouchers for John Lewis nervous as this is what our teacher will be getting

ObfusKate · 10/07/2014 13:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ICanSeeTheSun · 10/07/2014 13:09

I always send in a card with a lovely note inside.

I'm rubbish at gifts for people I don't know.

LadyCelia · 10/07/2014 13:12

We sent a bottle of Pimms in this year with some strawberries from the garden (prob won't do that again, DS was most put out at someone else getting his strawberries!)

Pipbin · 10/07/2014 13:13

The best gift I ever recieved was two hand made cards, one from the mum and one from her DD. Both had hand written notes of thanks.

The gift I got last year that I have used every day has been a note block. Always useful.

Of course I appreciate every gift but I'd rather not have bath gift sets, mugs or anything with best teacher on.

It goes without saying that I expect nothing, Happy.

Original poster
bellarations · 10/07/2014 13:19

That's an interesting point " justfab" and one I have dealt with before by giving nothing, I will be doing the same this year for one teacher.
I don't want to give just because everyone else is. It makes my eyes roll seeing parents parade in with massive bunches of flowers or gift bags when the week before they were moaning about the teacher.

"The Show" aspect is rife in our school.
Two collections have already been started.
I really like the idea of emailing the school head to sing the teachers praise for inspiring my child this year.

OP posts:
Salmotrutta · 10/07/2014 13:19

Obfus - I'm not sure if it's different elsewhere in the UK but I can honestly say I've never heard of anyone here in Scotland filing thank you notes and cards for CPD Confused

Our CPD files are full of INSET, training courses, extra-curricular activities, staff meeting discussions, mentoring meetings, lesson observations etc.

StrumpersPlunkett · 10/07/2014 13:22

I usually do gifts but this year I didn't know the teachers very well and didn't want to get something wrong.
DS's wrote notes to their teachers.

I have to just say that I hope the head teacher liked DS2's review of her skills as she is apparently an "extremely magnificent" headmistress.

Salmotrutta · 10/07/2014 13:23

"Extremely magnificent" GrinGrin

Ericaequites · 10/07/2014 13:27

A book token would be better than wine, as some people don't or can't drink.

pinkerson · 10/07/2014 13:28

I love giving teachers sonething at the end of the year... It's tiny compared with all they give my dc. Even the teachers I haven't loved have done all sorts of extras that I appreciate. The best ones have helped my kids (and sometimes me) in ways I'll never forget. A bottle of wine seems the least I can do. I write a letter and get my cd to make a card or write a note.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 10/07/2014 13:52

My DD chose a pen for her teacher. She said her teacher is always borrowing pens from the teaching assistant, so wanted to buy her one of her own. She chose a pretty one with butterflies on it as her teacher likes butterflies apparently.
I was happy to go along with that as I had no ideas, and figured it is something that will always come in handy.

As for the TA, and DS's pre-school teachers (there are 3 teachers and 4 support staff) I have no idea, will probably go with chocolates.
I am also planning on a card and maybe a small treat for the principle - but only because she has really gone above and beyond the call of duty for us as a family.