teacher gift etiquette?

[bn05]

Ive done the class collection for our Year 4 teacher and TA this year. How should I split the amount between them? I'm thinking two thirds for the teacher and a third for the TA on the basis the teacher does all the lesson planning, reports. parents evening etc.. Not quite sure though! What are people's thoughts? thanks

I'd probably ask all the people who contributed? Seems a bit silly not to have done that before taking the money. Personally I'd split it 50/50. The TAs and teachers alike work very hard.

I'd split it equally if I were you. Yes the teacher has to put in more work overall, but that will be reflected in their salary compared to the TAs anyway. This gift imo is more of a thank you for their help and effort with the children, and presumably you're equally thankful to them both

50/50 split.
Teachers get paid a lot more than TA’s and whilst they do obviously have a bigger responsibility for the children’s learning, the TA is there to help the teacher and make their life a bit easier. Plus, the TA will most likely do a lot more of the pastrol care, sorting out friendship issues, noticing and helping those who are struggling, looking after those who are a bit poorly etc.
An equal split is the way to go imo.

I think two thirds in favour of the teacher.
Ta’s do much shorter hours reflected in the pay and none of the outside hours work. I think they do a fantastic job but you’d be lost without the teacher!

Teachers get paid a lot more than TA’s and whilst they do obviously have a bigger responsibility for the children’s learning, the TA is there to help the teacher and make their life a bit easier. Plus, the TA will most likely do a lot more of the pastrol care, sorting out friendship issues, noticing and helping those who are struggling, looking after those who are a bit poorly etc.
An equal split is the way to go imo.

I agree 100% with this! ⬆️ I'm a very hard working TA & rarely see a teacher wiping tears, applying plasters, cleaning up puke, giving medicine, etc. and for what it's worth, we DO work outside the school hours, buy loads of stuff with our own money, cover the class when the teacher is off & do plenty of planning, marking & assessment!!

rarely see a teacher wiping tears, applying plasters, cleaning up puke, giving medicine, etc. and for what it's worth, we DO work outside the school hours, buy loads of stuff with our own money, cover the class when the teacher is off & do plenty of planning, marking & assessment

Wow. I do all of that and have never experienced a TA buying things or working out of hours. In fact, my TAs like to jokingly tease me about how they go home and can do nothing until 9am the next morning.

I'd say 70:30 to the teacher. TAs are invaluable, but they aren't teachers. I've been both, and being a teacher is a BILLION times harder.

I'd prefer to split it 50-50 but our class reps always seem to do about 2/3 to class teacher and 1/3 to TA. I know the class teacher works harder but they also get paid more and I think both put alot of effort into getting to know the kids and supporting them.

50/50, because surely they're equally appreciated?

Surely people realise that teachers get paid more because they have MUCH more responsibility and have done (in most cases) four years at university studying their profession?

I think TAs are drastically underpaid, and again I'll say how absolutely wonderful they are, but I've seen another barrage of comments on Facebook today about how unfair it is that teachers get paid more. It's for a reason.

Which has nothing to do with Christmas presents, sorry OP

Our class collection is for the teacher and the swimming teacher WTF! Why am I donating to the swimming teacher who has them once a week for 30 minutes?

For the topic we’re discussing though, it shouldn’t really be about who does more work or who has more responsibiliy. We are talking about Christmas gifts.
If both the TA and the teacher are appreciated and the gift is to say thank you and to wish them a happy Christmas, then a fair split is 50:50.
You don’t spend more money on your mum than your dad just because your mum works harder (or vice versa)!

What is this collection thing, never heard of it? Is it given in cash, or used to buy a present?

I've seen some parents bring in individual presents for teachers /TA's but that's about it.

As a teacher I think it’d be nice to be 50/50, although I’m secondary and we rarely get anything 😂 a nice card is always appreciated 😊

poptart valid point. Never looked at it like that!
I think its hard - I have two school age at the moment. One, the teacher has been off for most of year (but seen on holiday) and the TA is wondetful and brilliant & also works in extra curricular so we interact with her a lot. I adore TA so Id like to
Show my appreciation.
Other child, dont see either but no specific TA, she is a one on one with child in class so sometimes works with others.
Depends on relationships i think.

That's very true, poptart.

50/50

50:50. It’s not a payment or based on how much work they do or their qualifications. It’s a small token of thanks at Christmas. You get a bottle or some chocs, flowers, or a mug or something, maybe some vouchers, and you get them both the same. And if there’s a classroom support assistant who only does a few days a week, you get them the same too. In an office, you don’t give varying levels of presents to your staff based on their responsibilities. Or spend different amounts on a secret santa based on job description.

50/50.

Though I would never contribute to a class collection so my opinion may be irrelevant.

I’d factor in if the TA works in other classes. If they work solely in your dc’s class, then 50:50. If they are TA to 2 or 3 teachers, they will likely receive gifts from those children as well and in that case I’d split 1/3 TA, 2/3 teacher.

I always get them something of equal value. At the end of the year I try and get something a bit personalised or special in some way for the teacher if my DCs have a particularly good relationship with them and would do the same for the TA if my DC worked closely with them but in this case 50:50

I find this a bit sad and petty really. It's a Christmas gift. Don't try and measure their 'worth'. 50/50

Surely 50:50?

Anything else would seem incredibly crass to me. It's about how much they are appreciated, and surely that is equal?

I would feel very uncomfortable giving anything other than equally. I have never had class collections at my child's school, but give either identical, or equivalent presents (when I know they have different interests). It seems madness to do any different.

I think it would depend on the TAs role. My TA last year was 1:1 with a specific child and rarely interacted with the other children. This year she does a more general job but across three classes, so with me for just two mornings and one afternoon.

It would be a kick in the teeth for the TA if you give her a smaller gift - how to put someone in their place! 50/50 is the only way in my opinion.

I think it depends on the TA. Some are fucking useless. Others are better than many teachers I've worked with.

Split according to their impact within their roles. This is gratitude, not remuneration.

As an educator, it's about the gratitude. It sounds cheesy but there are few gifts I remember and I only remember them because they were awkwardly extravagant but I love a nice card with writing or a drawing from the children.