Teacher gifts - secondary school.

[itsgettingweird]

My ds has send. Asd and neuro condition.

Started his current secondary late after complete breakdown at previous school (due to their lack of even trying to support him and common assault).

All (well bar about 4 but some people just do not get asd!) teachers have been amazingly supportive but some have really stood out and gone the extra mile for him.

I'd like to get these extra mile teachers a gift - but is it ok not to do everyone? (He's year 11 so leaving in a few weeks)

Also if it's ok to do a select number how would you feel about a personalised notebook with the front page specifically designed with a quote relating to what you did.
It will not reference ds or have a photo of him so don't worry

For example one teacher worked hard with him (he could barely look at people let alone talk to them) and their work has meant he's just performed a drama piece in front of an audience. (He always did tech)

The teachers would understand the basis of the quote (which I'd write) and I'd add a nice picture related to their subject.

I don't want any teacher to think what they've done isn't valued. But im not made of money! I'm talking about those who've really gone above and beyond.

All thoughts, responses and suggestions gratefully received.

I doubt teachers give much thought about others receiving gifts.

Teachers are givers no receivers!!

Just give to those who made the biggest impact.

A SEND student once bought me a card and a box of Maltesers for my birthday. Her parents had written a lovely message in the card, thanking me for the work that I had done with their child and the progress that she had made. The Maltesers disappeared quickly but memory of that lovely message has lasted years.
Your sincere thanks, on a card, will be precious to your son's teachers.

Your son’s teachers will be over the moon with any recognition of their hard work! We don’t get much of that in secondary school.
Go for what you feel is right, it will be very much appreciated. If you want to go above and beyond, email the Head, cc the Head of Department and the teacher, and sing the teacher’s praise in that email.

It's certainly the norm in y11 to give presents only to a few teachers you've got on really well with. Not that it matters because none of us expect anything, but if you were to do gifts then what you're proposing is lovely.

I was given a notebook one year with some personal in jokes from the years I taught the class. The sentimental sod that I am means it's sat unwritten in on my desk shelf and I smile every time I look at it.

I would just write a personal message in a card and a cheaper (non personalised) present.
Messages in cards always feel much more personal to me than personalised teacher gift and can be kept much longer

Thanks everyone.

Maybe a moonpig card I can design myself would be good with heartfelt messages.

I could get pens with teachers name on.

I'm glad it would make others feel less valued.

I value all his teachers but there are certain ones who have just done more than I'd ever expect of them.

I also want the send admin lady recognised. I bet she doesn't get credit for all she does behind the scenes but her written paperwork after annual reviews has always been amazing and any re wording or amendments I've ask for have been down immediately!

A card with a personal message is my favourite thing to receive (though getting a big bunch of flowers in front of the DH who hated me was nice!)

I'm definitely going with a special message.

I've always sent thank you emails when someone's done something for him.

I think parents forget that whatever we have to deal with with our kids the teachers have to deal with it and 29 others!

You sound lovely.

I am a teacher at my children's school. DD is Year 11. We are buying presents for three of her teachers, and she will write a card for them. They're the ones she feels have had the biggest impact on her results, and on her wellbeing.

itsgetting what a lovely thread. Its great that they have helped so much. Sadly we will be sending no thank you cards.

On a more positive note when oldest Ds finished his gcses at a different school I sent an email to the head and mentioned two of the teachers that had gone out of their way for him. We were truly thankful for their support.