To think buying a teacher gift but not a TA one is a dick move?

[Wannakisstheteacher]

Last day of school today. Standing waiting for the gates to open and see lots of children holding gift bags etc. One child showing the other children all the things she has for the teacher but doesn’t mention the TA. Another parent says she’s bought in chocolates for the teacher but again nothing for the TA - seems like the common theme from general chat.

AIBU to think it’s really low to bring in something for the teacher but nothing for the TA? They are so incredibly badly paid and have to do so much more than ever before so to bring in a full bag of stuff for the teacher but not even a small box of chocolates for the TA just seems like a dick move.

@LindaEllen that's a lovely idea.

My favourite thing to receive was a handwritten card from the child. I've still got mine from years ago.

I'm stunned that people think a TA has no effect on their child's schooling. Even a 1-1 TA will do some general TA tasks. It's shitty to bring something in just for the teacher and ignore the TA. And no, I'm not one.

Each of my children has 3 adults in class - 1 teacher and 2 TA/LSA which this year would mean 6 gifts at a time where things are tighter. Each got a handwritten card from respective child and I help at the school whenever I can despite working full time (PTA activities etc).

Totally agree. I am a teacher and feel awkward accepting these gifts, although am very appreciative!! Your child will most definitely not be judged (by the teacher anyway, can't speak for parents peeping and eavesdropping at the school gates....)
Agree with the general concensus if it's a TA for the class it's different to a TA designated to a child. In my school the TAs work with specific children. My friend's child has 3 TAs in his classroom and she felt obliged to buy all of them and the class teacher a present. It's a big expense on families!

I have only ever given to teachers as the TA have had no impact on my children’s schooling

wow. That’s totally untrue. And really unpleasant to suggest that’s the case.

Seriously, do not worry about it. ds took something in the first year of primary, then I came to my senses. Never felt judged. No one notices. The only thing that would have changed that would be if my child brought it up and was upset not giving a gift to a teacher, then they would be encouraged to give a card or if it had to be a present it would be a very small token gift - pens/mug etc (for the benefit of my child feeling they were giving).

It is ridiculous to think parents should be sending presents into school for all teachers, TAs, office staff, canteen staff, etc etc etc etc.

I let teachers know what I appreciate at the appropriate times which is parents evening or when we have any contact.

I only bought one box of biscuits and labelled it to the teacher/ta. Usually buy two but couldn’t afford too this year so they can decide who gets the biscuits.

I don't do teacher gifts at all. If I was to do them, I might think about getting the TA one, but tbh my child doesn't have anything to do with the TA, so probably wouldn't be on my radar.

No I disagree. I am a teacher and actually I would quite like it if kids didn't buy individual gifts for staff. Life is expensive and it just puts pressure on families. This kind of post also does this. It gets very expensive if parents are also buying for tas and have more than one kid. The way to reward staff is to pay them properly to start with. I would prefer people to support striking workers.

My youngest has 2 x teachers, 1 x day teaching per week from the deputy head and 2 x TA’s so lots to buy for! I bought them something each and just got a private message from one TA thanking me for remembering her and that she loved her gift.

If the TA is a 1:1 then the impact they have on the rest of the class will be minimal. They're there for one child and should not be used as a general class TA unless the child they are usually with is ill.

I work in SEN and some classes have deaf children who have 1:1 support workers who are there to sign for them. Very occasionally they will do more whole-class support, eg. have another child or two in their group for a trip, help with a display in the classroom at a time they're not needed (like end-of-term colouring), share visuals in class with other pupils who may benefit etc. The Deaf children can sometimes have 2 or 3 different adults in a week. Should parents of pupils in that class also give these adults a gift as they may have a very small impact on the schooling of those pupils?

I know one class with about 8 different adults supporting various children 1:1 over the week. Should they all be bought a gift by the parents of the class? I suppose it would be nice, but as gifts are not necessary even for teachers, a card for every adult who has worked with your child is enough, if you really want to say thank you.

This is ridiculous. In all my years as a mainstream teacher with one LSA (usually only a part time LSA, mornings only or shared with another class) we had some parents who just bought for me, some who bought for both of us and some who bought nothing for either of us.

We get paid to do a job. We don’t need or expect presents (well I don’t, anyway, but I can see I might be in the minority!) This year in particular, people have NO MONEY. Perhaps they want to thank the teachers for the hours of extra work they put in, the responsibility etc. but can’t afford two presents. In the case of multiple children, it’s going to cost even more. I have four and bought four presents for their teachers. A decent LSA is worth their weight in gold, which is why I always got/get mine a nice present to say thank you for all their hard work. But unless your child has a special bond/does lots of work with the LSA then a present from a child isn’t necessary in my opinion.

I now work in special education and our LSAs have a much bigger job. We are a team of four (when my team doesn’t get stolen off me for other classes!) I have utmost responsibility for the class and do all the planning, paperwork, annual reviews, meetings with professionals etc but the day-to-day is done by all of us. Our children (the ones who can afford it; we only got presents from 3 of our 12 but I’m not complaining in the slightest) get each one of us a present.

@Dacadactyl

So your child has never wet themselves , recieved a wrapped gift from school , had a book changed , read with an adult , hurt themselves , had a problem within their friendship group , been taught phonics , had a spelling test marked etc.

I'm not saying that staff deserve presents , but you are wrong to say that the ta does nothing for your kid.

🙄

Absolutely not! 💐

I'm not saying the TA doesn't deserve a present, just that my child never mentions her so she's not on my radar iyswim.

He talks about the class teacher. I only know who the TA in his class is because she was mentioned recently in the newsletter.

I absolutely agree with this. Both my DC go to the TA before the teacher about most stuff.

Maybe they can’t afford to buy teacher and teaching assistant. At one point one of my children had 2 teachers and 2 assistants, due to part time/job shares.

I just bought the ones that my kids and I liked, that could be only the teacher, only the TA or sometimes both.

None of them are entitled to presents. My friend is a teacher, the homemade food goes in the bin, the tat goes to the charity shop as she’d have a house full of it. She wishes parents saved their money or bought some resources for the class if they did buy things.

I always gave exactly the same present to teachers and TAs. TAs do so much for the children , and the pay they get for it is appalling for what they do.

When we did a class collection I had to ask if they were giving exactly the same to teachers and TAs otherwise I wouldn't have donated and would have done our own thing.

100% agree. I work twice as many hours as a TA but I get paid 4x the amount so I think it really should be equal in terms of gifts, not that they are a requirement at all.

It's expensive enough as it is they should just do away without presents. I think TA's should be professional enough to not be thinking waaaaah wheres my present.

So DS(6) has a main teacher, 3 TAs, a read write Inc teacher, PE TAs, forest school teacher and forest school assistant that I know of. He randomly mentions other teacher names who drop in for a session or drop teach them something once a week etc.

No way could I buy evenly for everyone even if I did have a full list of names. Way too expensive.

All the parents put money towards vouchers for the teachers, TA etc to use on their staff meal on the last night of term.
It's been this way for years so I'm told.

Even as a 1:1 TA assigned to a specific child, I am part of the class and work with the whole class.
The aim of providing 1:1 support is to allow the specified child to function within the class, to be included.
The child and their 1:1 TA do not exist in isolation, shoved out in the corridor, unseen by the rest of the class.The child and their 1:1 are in the classroom as much as possible.
When working as a 1:1 I support my specific child with their work and behaviour. This includes group work. Within the class. With your child. As part of this, I naturally support your child with their work.

I scaffold the specified child’s task to foster independence. And when specified child is on task, I support the rest of the class.
Sometimes the teacher chooses to focus on my specified child and asks me to work with a different group or lead a whole class activity.
On top of that, I do everything outlined in my previous post.

A 1:1 TA will prioritise their specified child as per the EHCP, but that does not mean they are not aware of and involved with the rest of the class.

That said, I want to reiterate I don’t want gifts. My favourite gifts this year were some handbaked biscuits and some hand written cards / drawings.
I am a TA because I love the job.

Who would want 30 odd £5 gifts though. I don't think you should buy teachers, TAs or anyone else a gift. It's strange how some people are given gifts just for doing their job and some not. Say thank you if you think they have done a good job.

I have 3 children and between their classes there are 15 TAs and more that cover/do the odd session! The vast majority of TAs at our school are part time. I really value them but I can't buy for all of them. I buy for the teacher and my sons 1:1. We do cards but even then I'm sure I'll forget someone at school! I spend a lot of time with the receptionist and head teacher too!

Should I buy no gifts because I can't afford to buy everyone one?!