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Original poster

Would you give a Xmas gift to your child's teacher but not the TA?

39 replies

MayaAngelCool · 11/12/2012 23:34

This term I've got to know DS's class teacher fairly well, and she is excellent. I'd like to get her a thank-you gift for the end of term.

This evening I remembered to my horror that there's also a TA in the class - I've only ever seen her once, and we had a brief playground chat. She's not a warm person at all, and I don't especially like what I've seen of her. However, I don't doubt that she does a great job in the classroom.

I'm feeling really bad about essentially forgetting her existence in my present planning, but it seems false to get a gift for someone I hardly know and don't particularly like. At the same time it feels wrong to just get one for the teacher.

I'm interested to know what you all would do in this situation.

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Beamur · 11/12/2012 23:36

I'll be giving the teacher and the TA the same present. They are both getting a bottle of wine.

GW297 · 11/12/2012 23:49

I think it's fine to just give one to the teacher and not the TA in the circumstances you describe.

Greensleeves · 11/12/2012 23:53

I think that is mean. Sometimes people who are fantastic with children can come across as awkward or aloof with adults. You don't know what this TA really does.

I would either buy for both or neither.

Original poster
MayaAngelCool · 12/12/2012 00:02

Greensleeves, that is why I said I am sure she does a great job in the classroom. Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
MayaAngelCool · 12/12/2012 00:03

Where has Mumsnet put the old "hmm" emoticon?!

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 12/12/2012 00:03

...hence my opinion that not to buy for her as well is mean!

ObiTheChristmasWan · 12/12/2012 00:06

I'd buy for the TA as well.

Gifts at Christmas are usually thought of as being from the children, rather than the parents. I'd imagine that your son knows the TA at least as well as he knows the teacher.

Startail · 12/12/2012 00:11

DD1 would have done, she didn't like the TA.

I sent presents for both.

Even though I agreed she was an idiot in her handling of spellings for dyslexic DCs.

SouthernComforts · 12/12/2012 00:13

If you can then buy the TA one. My mum is a TA and she works extremely hard with the children and keeps everything the children give her. Unless it's edible, obviously!

Floralnomad · 12/12/2012 00:21

I'd buy for both , it's a bit mean not to and would look like you don't appreciate her contribution in the classroom.

Greensleeves · 12/12/2012 00:29

I feel bad now Sad I didn't come on intending to be aggressive and cause offence. I'm a new teacher and I suppose a bit overzealous in my opinions. I would be screwed without the fabulous TAs I work with, so I felt a bit defensive for them!

But I should have expressed myself less harshly. Sorry OP x

upstart68 · 12/12/2012 11:57

I think if you are going to buy for one, you have to buy for the other. It doesn't have to be the same gift for both.

When they're little it's such a relief to have a teacher who seems friendly and warm. But as they get older, what's important is how they bring the dc on academically and socially. The TA usually plays a huge part in that, but you don't necessarily see it.

ChippingInAWinterWonderland · 12/12/2012 12:03

I would get her something small.

Whether you like her or not, whether your DD likes her or not, whether she directly helps your DD or not, she is helping the class teacher to 'be excellent' and help your DD. Without her your DD's teacher probably wouldn't have as much time to do the things she does that make her excellent.

craftynclothy · 12/12/2012 12:12

I usually buy for the teacher and then bake something that the teacher & TAs can share. There seem to be a lot of TAs/trainee teachers at our school so I wouldn't know how many to buy for if I bought them gifts.

RaisinBoys · 12/12/2012 12:42

Am i the first to say that neither the Teacher nor the TA will be getting nothing but a card?

Clearly really mean in this household but DS will write a card and we'll send our best wishes and thanks for putting up with them for another term!!!

Teachers and TA get a small pressie from us at the end of the academic year.

That's enough, it's a recession...and they do get paid! dives under the table for cover

I see lovely parents who, frankly, haven't got a pot to piss in, worrying about what they should buy for the Teacher. It's ridiculous.

RaisinBoys · 12/12/2012 12:44

Goodness, apologies! Terrible grammar! "anything but a card".

Sorry it's late...been on nights!

SunflowersSmile · 12/12/2012 13:06

Cards only from my children too- older one will write personalised message to teacher and couple of TAs.

gymboywalton · 12/12/2012 13:11

'she's not a warm person at all'.....and yet you've only met her once

so 'in the one brief playground chat we had once, she wasn't at all warm'Hmm

Original poster
MayaAngelCool · 12/12/2012 17:50

Yep, I know, I'm judging her based on relatively little direct contact. But then we all do that, don't we.

Part of the problem in terms of how I view her is that DS's reception teacher & TA set an extremely high bar as they were terrific - highly professional and very warm and engaging. This year I didn't even know who the TA was until 2 months into term, and then whenever I've seen her she's looked grumpy and forbidding. Then in the one convo I had with her (btw I should have said above that I've met her once, not "seen" her once) she didn't smile and looked like she didn't want to be there. I imagine just about everyone would come away with a negative impression of someone who behaved that way, right? Also when I asked DS what she was like, he said she was 'sort of alright'.

Chipping and upstart make an excellent point, that she supports the teacher in being excellent. So I'll definitely get her something as a thankyou.

OP posts:
mrz · 12/12/2012 18:03

How well does your child know the TA?

Whistlingwaves · 12/12/2012 18:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MayaAngelCool · 12/12/2012 18:47

Greensleeves, don't worry about it! Smile

Mrz, I don't know - the only time he ever mentioned her was when I asked him about her! But I assume she does a lot as TAs always do.

Anyway that is the right question to ask, as her grumpiness wasn't the main reason I was querying the present issue; it was primarily because I barely know her. But as you all say, TAs always work hard and DS will know her, so that's reason enough for a Xmas thankyou.

OP posts:
breatheslowly · 12/12/2012 18:51

Is the TA a general class one or for a specific child/children? It may be that the TA has little to do with your DS.

MoaningMingeWhimpersAgain · 12/12/2012 19:57

I have sent a small present for the teacher only but there have been numerous TAs through the year and I have only seen the current one a couple of times. I will be taking some cakes and chocolate to be shared in the staffroom for anyone too, though.

Hulababy · 12/12/2012 20:02

A fair few people do.
I'm a TA and some people do give to teacher and not the TA. Some give to both and some give to neither.

I am always appreciative of any thanks I receive in whatever form - card, letter/note or gift. They are appreciated and def not expected. I work with all the children, plus do PPA cover for the class too (as well as for 3 other classes - but parents would never see me in the other classes, only my main room).

For my DD's school - I ask DD who she wishes to give cards/gifts too.

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