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

[MayaAngelCool]

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.

[DewDr0p]

I would always do both or neither.

Certainly at our school the TAs are very skilled and work very hard - they are a crucial part of the team and don't get paid an awful lot to boot.

[survivingwinter]

I know what you are saying OP. My DS's TA has been less than friendly to me over the last 4 yrs I have had children going in and out of that class but I know she does some sterling work with my DS and has helped him a lot so I will be getting her a present to say thanks!

I am struggling this year with the whole teacher/presents thing because I do think it is nice to say thanks to teachers and TA's (they do work very hard) for families in real hardship I think it causes difficulties because it is the 'done thing'.

[Fuzzymum1]

I will buy for the teacher and both TAs - one of whom is a one to one for another child, but my son loves her and wants to buy for her.

[Snog]

I wouldn't buy a TA present if I didn't like the TA unless my child really rated them

[GW297]

I'm with you snog!

[Rudolphstolemycarrots]

I'd love to buy for the TA too but there are so many helpers in the class and I'd worry about leaving someone out.

[ninah]

snog I agree
I'm a new teacher too, greensleeves, and you are lucky - it's not always the way - TAs (as teachers) do vary

[Greensleeves]

I know ninah, I am very lucky at the moment (I am only doing supply, but lots of it in the same school, which is lucky in this area at the moment!)

I did encounter a couple of really disgusting people (teacher and TAs) when I was training. I saw one slap a child with SEN and another pick him up by one arm and one leg and dump him in a corner

would still treat my own children's teachers and TAs equally though unless I knew somebody was actually horrible.

[ninah]

oh that's good, it can count for NQT then? I'm on a mat cover (come back lovely new mum, hurry! lol)

[ninah]

for my own dc I just give to the people I think have done a great job really - and I also gave a TA a plant for clearing up dd's projectile vomit across the hall.

[suebfg]

At our school, vouchers are given to the teacher and the TA but the teacher is given s higher value. I am a bit uncomfortable with this - surely they should get the same

[GW297]

If the TA is shared between 2 or even 3 classes they can end up with loads of gifts. I think the teacher should get more in recognition of the fact that they are the child's teacher. I wouldn't buy nice gifts for school staff I wasn't keen on or didn't rate and I wouldn't write nice things in their card that I didn't mean.

[mummyloveslucy]

My daughter has made personalised mugs for her teacher and her one to one lady. I've just realised there are 2 TA's as well in her class! (She hasn't been there long). In my defence. Maybe I'll get them some chocs.

[letseatgrandma]

I buy for teachers but not TAs. Some of the TAs flit between classes and are only with the children for part of the day-it would get expensive to buy for all of the TAs that work in my children's classes.