BlogHer - teachers - Comments

Gifts for Teachers

cmg1111 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:12:41 -0600

Thanks for having the guts to tell it like it is! I know a lot of parents (eg, above two comments) grate at the idea of giving a "practical" gift. But most of the teachers I spoke to while researching my article on choosing a gift for a teacher echoed your comments: it's not that they don't appreciate handmade gifts or sentimental gestures, but eventually it's just kitsch overload.

If it's not your style to give something practical like a gift card or office supplies, all teachers will appreciate a heartfelt thank you note (maybe on a handmade card?) -- it's certainly not about spending a lot of money; just about not wasting money on "apple for teacher" and similar kitsch that no one can use!

~Emily
Christmas Gifts for Teachers

PS: Be careful about giving edibles: some schools don't allow teachers to eat homemade foods they've been given as a gift.

Reply to "Appreciation"

jandtsmom — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:56:07 -0500

First I want to thank the commenter of "Appreciation". Submitted by layni on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 14:41

I am a mom of 2, and after reading this article, while I was searching for teacher gifts, I was disappointed to read this article by Leslie Madsen Brooks. Since when did the cost of the gift, outweigh the thought? Not everybody as 'layni' mentioned, has lots of money to spend on an expensive gift. Why not have some graditude? So you measure the degree of thoughtfullness by how expensive the gift is? Or what it is? You sound like spoiled children. You should be ashamed.

LOL - Yes, Somedays I Really Don't Want To Cope

Gena Haskett — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:04:21 -0500

I'm not a good cusser. I'm more of a rant, cuss, ranter. I have been in the presence of those that have let it rip as they verbally assaulted another person. Not for the faint of heart.

There are a special few who can do it without using the 7 words you can't say on TV. Those folks are scary good at it.

You are right, it should only be used in the most extreme or provoking situation. The people who constantly cuss other people out for petty reasons generally have no power, language skills or self-esteem.

There are certain legendary contestants on reality TV shows that prove my point.

Baden Powell - hadn't thought of him for years. I think I read his biography when I was a kid. How the world has changed.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Coloured pencils

kazari — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:43:33 -0500

When I'm angry, drawing a picture of how i feel (with lots of red and scribbles ) really, really helps. my favourite one lately was a small girled curled up in the corner of the page and a big scream trumpet saying 'I DON"T WANT TO COPE!!!' across the rest of the page. lots of red and black and yellow.

then i could look at it, and say, yes, that is how i feel, and put it away.

and about the cussing - it sounds like you're good at it! But I like the quote by Baden Powell (victorian guy who invented scouts) - i don't know it exactly but he says that cursing is such powerful stress relief that we should save it for the most stressful situations. this allows it to retain it's power, and also stops us inadvertently letting rip in front of an inappropriate audience...

Seaching For The Right Physical Activity

Gena Haskett — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:28:07 -0500

I do need to find something - in my fantasy it is boxing or learn how to become a ninja. That ain't gonna happen but I can visualize being victorious as I concur the forces of evil.

I do a lot of walking but I think you are right; there has to be a committed daily exercise to move the toxins out.

Stagnation, yeah I should be so lucky. I just know I'll be on the re-incarnation express because it does seem like it is taking way longer than it should for certain lessons to kick in.

Life is a process and a journey. I just want a better road map is all. I have spoken to the Head Deity in Charge about this often.

I can hear the laughter from here.
Gena - Out On The Stoop

Tell me more about this special book

sassymonkey — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:36:44 -0500

I'm curious!

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Yay for libraries

sassymonkey — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:36:00 -0500

I'm glad that your 9 year old loves the library!

Interestingly I was reading someone else recently who said that their oldest child wasn't as interested in books as their youngest.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Reading ahead

sassymonkey — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:34:05 -0500

I never did understand why the entire class had to read one book. Why didn't they just assign different books? I had a teacher in high school who let us read whatever we wanted in English class...I think it was because he couldn't stand the idea of having to teach an unwilling class of teenagers about To Kill A Mockingbird one more time.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

A few responses

Candelaria Silva — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:28:50 -0500

I feel you and hear you and been you, well not you, but where you are.

Cussin' - sometimes we have to succumb to that urge. Carolyn Rodgers wrote poetry in the late 60s and 70s and she had a great political piece called "The Last Motherf..." If you've never read it, you must find it.

Lamaze breathing - I do deep breathing that I was taught in Lamaze classes many years ago to regulate my thoughts when I get too angry for my own good.

Walking - I've been committed to walking for some time - 2-3 times a week with 1 or 2 friends, 3-5 times a week by myself doing errands. I take diffierent routes. We sometimes catch the T and go to different places - like a garden, the waterfront, etc. It chills me out more than anything except dancing.

Books - I enjoyed a book "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway." I read it more than 10 years ago I believe, but it struck a chord with me and has helped me since. I also read the prayers in Illuminata by Marianne Williamson a lot. They are calming.

Drafting - I draft a love of angry missives, 99% of which never see the light of day because writing it or saying it aloud helps me clear my head, heart and energy.

If you "were as enlightened as you wanted to be at this point in your life" there's be no more room for growth and taht stagnation would be worse.

Sometimes, you just got to get somone/some institution, told! (I wrote a piece on my blog called "The Missives are in the Air." Check it out when you've a moment.

I'll check out the video above. Thanks for the post.

http://blog.candelarisilva.com

http://examiner.com/x-2478-Boston-Domestic-Issues_Examiner

Good and plenty!

Internal Self-Defense for Kids - Yes A Wonderful Idea

Gena Haskett — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:49:34 -0500

I do like to find a positive outlet for anger by transforming it. There are times however when I go from zero to 60 and the mental brakes aren't working.

Not as many as when I was younger but I think I beat myself up more for being angry than the actual thing that flipped me off.

I like what you taught your nephew. Internal self-defense. A mighty weapon.

Thanks,

Gena - Out On The Stoop

One of the toughest lessons

Creatively Belle — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:18:37 -0500

When I was in the depths of grief I had to learn the lesson that one of the hardest things to do in life is to direct appropriate anger in the appropriate direction, in the appropriate way.

I'm still learning the lesson but at least now I'm aware of it.

At the time I was going through the anger stage of grief and wanting to snap at people in public. I got to thinking that the old tradition of wearing a black arm band to signify that you're in mourning made a heap of sense - then strangers wouldn't take it so personally when you did eat their heads.

Well this approach wasn't working. My solution was to see a grief counsellor to find a better way through. It worked. And it gave me longer lasting skills too. Now I get upset about things but I cool off faster and sooner. I have more balance. I also know what to compare the crap things in life to. So figuring out the small things or what I can't change is easier to let go.

It's all still a process but that's fine too, it means I'm human.

On a note about cussing, I taught my nephew how to come up with a string of insults for bullies at school who were ruining his self-esteem. He never said them to their faces but he did end up laughing about the nasty prats by coming up with ridiculous insults for them. My aim was to take their power away and, to a degree, that's what we did.

All the best,

Belinda

Free online jewelry competition with Creatively Belle designs at SheInspires

Great Earring Holders - great presents and no more messy jewelry tangles!

Once I learned to read I couldn't stop

christinajeanne — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:08:10 -0500

Before I knew how to read I hated to even try reading a book. But, once I learned I was always reading some book. I couldn't put them down. My mom even made me my own special book that I still have. I still love reading.

Reading is essential

kristalpearce — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:20:22 -0500

I have a 13 year old and a 9 year old. I rarely ever read when the kids were younger because I was so busy being a mommy. But now that they are older and I have more time I am reading a lot. This has really rubbed off on my youngest who now always wants to go to the library. My oldest is not as receptive but I am hoping it's not to late to make a reader out of him too!

hmmm this brings back memories

mashadutoit — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:47:21 -0500

This brings back memories -

I was always being reprimanded for "reading ahead".

I also remember that we were supposed to make a list of words that we did not understand from our set book - "A hundred and One Dalmations" (English was our second language - and many of my classmates could hardly speak it)

I did not have any words on my list - I was reading far beyond that level at the time.

I was sent to the headmaster to be punished as I did not have any words on my list. This really made me lose all respect for my teacher and my headmaster.

Appreciation

layni — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:41:20 -0500

As a teacher myself, I understand that we sometimes receive gifts that may be looked at as "useless" or "ridiculous" but I think everyone here is forgetting what is most important when it comes to gift giving and receiving. Sure I would love to get a gift card for a massage or to go out to eat but it's the THOUGHT that counts. Students/Parents are not required to give gifts at all, and if they do give their teacher a gift, it shows how special they are to them. Another thing to remember is that not all families have the money to go out and buy these "perfect" gifts that teachers would rather have. I think a hand made card or gift is the best gift of all. The student does not have to be an artist to put time and effort into a gift that comes from their HEART.

Teachers of all people should be greatful for little, "useless", gifts like that.