I remember a few years back I got a heart warming gift from a student who was really struggling in math. I helped her day in and day out. I told her practice makes perfect. she came into my class as happy as can be and was just so excited to tell me she passed her math test. Then she pulls out a gift from her backpack and gave it to me with tears in her eyes. I asked her "what's wrong why are you crying?" She said "Mrs Cheryl because of you taking time Out of your day to help me I was able to pass my math test. So I wanted to get you something for helping me so much. Thank you." I opened the gift and it was hand made clay penguin holding a coffee cup. The cutest thing ever! I love penguins and of course coffee. It sits on my desk and reminds me of her. She's now in high school.
My very first gift from a student from Nepal was a mug with the words "The Heart of A Teacher". It really touched my heart coming from a student who was from another country.
I work in a low income school system where families have a difficult time for their own. Because of this I would not do the list, but I also worked in a system that was well off and it is a fabulous idea! My favorite gift was a broken angel figurine that I just knew was brought in from the child's home. The grandmother was the child's guardian and told me that her granddaughter wanted me to have it. This filled my heart, but also broke my heart at the same time.
Last year a parent gave me a survey like this to fill out. Throughout the year she would gift me items based on the survey. The simple fact that she took time to get to know me made the gifts even more special. Sometimes they were candy, snacks, or gift cards to my favorite places. Made me feel really appreciated. ❤️💕
I love gift cards, but a heartfelt "Thank You" is the best. I teach at a high poverty school. My favorite gift was the family pepper shaker I received from a little one... the child had a twin brother in the classroom across the hall. That teacher received the salt shaker. :)
Gift cards are always a favorite. My most memorable gift ever was from a little one who had nothing to give. She brought me a handful of rocks from her driveway. She had been thinking of me while waiting for the bus.💕
Last year, I received a gift card to the local supermarket. I didn't realize how much I'd appreciate that until I had a last minute idea to tweak an activity but needed supplies. I was feeling a little poor that week but remembered I had that gift card in my desk! I was able to get everything I needed. Those heartfelt notes from a parent, though... truly the best!
As a first year teacher, I love when I get books! The children usually pick them out, which makes the child SO excited to share with the teacher. Holiday books are the best because when you’re studying education, you collect several books that you love to share with the kids, but you don’t always collect an array of holiday/seasonal books. This is also a great way to share your beliefs! Choose a book that aligns with your family traditions. ⛄️🌲🎄🐲
I always love they heart felt gifts like hand made ornaments, pictures or notes. Being a teacher at a title one school, we seldom get anything to fancy. So that is why the little things they do mean so much. Always nice to be appreciated!
I love receiving written letters or cards. I have gotten them in the past a enjoy reading what the kids write. Sometimes it's funny, sweet or both. Its a very touching and also rewarding gift.
The most precious and most touching gifts I have received are from my students who can't afford to buy anything and will bring things from home or either make a home made gift. Some of them are hilarious! But their hearts are in the right place. Some kids just want to please their teachers and will find the most creative ways to do so. I love it!
My favorite gift is a Barnes and Noble gift card. I teach first grade and I am ALWAYS promoting reading. I get super excited when a student hands me a Barnes and Noble gift card along with a personal note saying, "Merry Christmas! Enjoy reading a good book." For me, the gift is really not the gift card. The gift is they got the message that reading is enjoyable...and I love it! Reading inspires the imagination!
I love handwritten notes from the kids and families! I also love getting things the kids have heard me talk about me liking! Gift cards are always appreciated too!
Every gift I've received from a student/family is memorable and appreciated because I feel the gift from them is recognition of the influence I have on a their child.
Loved your teacher interest form! My favorite gifts are gift cards, which I usually end up buying something for my class with. But I love and appreciate all the gifts from students and their families!
My favorite gift is by far supplies for the classroom. Themed mini erasers, page protectors, quality binders for organization!! It all just makes me grateful.
I love when my students buy me "Their Favorite Candy". They want to share with me what they like best! They are so excited and the cost is manageable for the parents. I got orange tic tac's one year!
I love coffee gift cards as well! They help so much on tough mornings - it definitely puts me back on track. I also think most teachers would love some flair pens! I love the different colors and writing in my teacher planner with them. They make me feel more organized than I actually am 🤣
I love when my students bring me in homemade gifts-which can be cards, bake goods, a crafts. I love these things because I feel it is a heart felt gift.
I like your list of teacher gifts, favorite is the handwritten letter. We sometimes forget that our students can’t really afford anything. Growing up, that was me. Charity is another GREAT one. Thanks, for sharing😊
I love letters or pictures from students. It is an extra special gift when a student sends a letter to you after they've graduated from college ~ what a blessing!
I have loved the plants that I have received. Especially the ones where the student has painted the plant pot. I like having live plants in my class and these make great memory keepsakes.
My favorite gifts are either restaurant gift cards (a night out over Christmas break is always needed!) or thoughtful handmade gifts. I once received a word collage with words that students used to describe me in a frame and still put it up in my classroom every year.
One of my favorite gifts was a hand painted vase. I love all your great games you share and how easy they are to prep and use in the classroom. Happy Holidays!!!!
The gifts that I like best from students are homemade items. It shows that they took the time to make something special for me that I can keep forever. Gift cards are also a great gift! Thanks for sharing your ideas! :)
I always love the ones from the heart like a hand made ornament, picture or note. I seldom get anything too fancy since I am a teacher at a title one school. That is why when I do get something from a student it really touches me. Always nice to be appreciated.
Amazon gift cards are great! I order so many things for my class!! Colored card stock is always an awesome gift as well! Notes are also so thoughtful!!
My favorite gift was a "good listener" t-shirt a parent made at a T-shirt making place. We constantly review what good listeners do (Kdg): eyes looking, ears listening, quiet lips and be still. She had that made with icons and it was the best gift ever. The student is almost in high school and I still wear the shirts!
I always love when students are the ones that select the gift for me. They are even more excited to give the gift when they had a part in picking out or deciding on the gift.
Fave Teacher gift would be a TPT gift card. It's what I use most often. Also, anything a child picks out is amazing. I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with them, watching their energy build each day!
My favorite gift would have to be sweet treats! I love trying different ones from different cultures. This also allows me to get to know and understand my families on a more personal level.
Thank you Susan! You're ideas are always so incredibly easy to use and PRACTICAL! My favorite gift is a book donated to the classroom library. Anytime I read that story aloud I share with my current class the student and something I remember about them. Again, thanks for being you! You are a wonderful gift to my sanity 🙃
My favorite gift so far was a t-shirt that said, "I got into teaching for the fame and fortune." It was pretty funny! But, I'm with you, I LOVE those $5 gift cards for a coffee. Although, full disclosure, I usually use them to buy my students doughnuts. :)
I love to get pictures and notes from my students. I have a large box of cards, notes, pictures, etc. that I have received over the years. They are all so special because they were made especially for me. 😊
I am ALWAYS a fan of an Amazon gift card. I look there first for classroom supplies, books, or craft items. I can also use if for a personal item, if that is what I need most. :)
My kids know I love my dogs. They feel like they know them too from my stories and pics. I love that some of my students have given me gifts to share with the furbabies: bones, squeaky toys, pet store giftcards...and the dogs love sending thank you cards back to the kids over break!
These are all great ideas! I especially love the handwritten letter idea!! My favorite gift was a snow globe. A student from my previous school visited New York and brought me back the cutest little snow globe. She remembered how much I love NY and was beyond excited to give it to me. It was a thoughtful and very original gift idea.
I am a practical teacher, so I think my favorite gifts are things I can use in the classroom: stamps, stamps pads, stickers, books, colored paper, etc... Or places that I can go pick some food after I get off of a day of teaching!!
I had a parent send me a google form asking for my favorites that she actually shared with the other parents. I received awesome gifts that year. Another year, we had a PTO that made all the teachers a Christmas tree poster and put them by our door. We were told to put ornaments on it with ideas of gifts we would like for our classroom. Parents received letters from PTO explaining the tree and were encouraged to stop by at parent conference night to pull off an ornament.
Thank you for uploading weekly videos. I look forward to each Sundy to find out what you will be sharing. The games and morning meeting activities have been a big hit in my classroom this year. These gift ideas are wonderful!
My favorite teacher gift was a reusable coffee/tea mug that keeps it hot all morning. I think of the student who gave it to me everyday when I use it and if I don't get to my tea until 11am it is still warm!
My favorite gift from my students is a book to add to our classroom library. Whenever I receive one, I have the student write on the front inside cover their name, year given and their favorite thing about class.
I love the idea of filling out a little form! I have food allergies so that would help a lot. Any little thing a child gives you is always a gift from their hearts.
My favorite teacher gift has been handmade cards from students. I love reading what they have to say and see how much I mean to them! It is also a great gift to look back on when Im having a rough day!
I appreciate and am thankful for the wonderful and engaging ideas that you share with us. I have shared your blogs and videos with my colleagues. My favorite gifts are those the children pick-out or make. They are proud especially when they see it everyday in the classroom.
One of my favorite gifts are colored pens, especially the Frixion erasable pens. Can never go wrong with pretty colors AND the ability to erase as needed!
Gift cards are an amazing gift. This allows the person to buy what they want. My favorite gift was a sled with my name on it and it was painted black and yellow for my favorite team The Steelers.
Thanks for sharing all your ideas, my students will surely enjoy the sight word game. I also enjoy candles and all they create for me. My first graders grow on me each year and so hard to let go of them at the end of the school year!!
My favorite gift that I received was a beach blanket and beach hat. I wouldn't expect this as a gift but my student knew that I liked to go to the beach. I think she purchased gift at Five Below, therefore it wasn't costly. The best surprise!!
I love when students bring me my favorite soda or candy. or homemade chocolates. I also have a really cool silver charm necklace with our school mascot from a student, leather bracelet with my initials, and an engraved bookmark I keep in my devotional.
A hand written note from a student is always heart warming. If parents feel the need for something more, a book for the classroom library or some sticky notes, dry erase markers or some pencils are always useful.
I love when my students bring me my favorite snacks (especially candy). I also love Visa gift cards. I typically use them to purchase books for my classroom!
Gift Cards are always a favorite. The year I got my dog, a student of mine gave me a gift card and bought my puppy a toy. I thought it was the sweetest thing that she thought about my puppy. (He loved the toy by the way!)
Even though my favorite gift ever is a quilted wall hanging a parent made (it has a handprint and the name of each student from that year), I treasure them all because each one was given as a sign of love and appreciation.
I have a best teacher mug from my first year of teaching that I drink Chai Tea out of every weekend!! I hope it never breaks, it is a good sturdy big one!
I like receiving handwritten cards, nice cream and toiletries, but my favorite gift was a personalized pencil pouch with pens inside. Teachers love pens.
My favorite gifts are coffee or Amazon gift cards. I can often be spotted with a cup of coffee in hand, and it is such a time saver to be able to order things for the classroom from Amazon!
My favorite gift was a handmade card made by a student that I know HATES to color and draw. The card was beautifully done and I can tell he took a lot of time, though it wasn't easy for him. There was a very sweet message written inside as well.
I love any gifts that are heartfelt and meaningful. One year a student got me a pair of Mickey ears from Disneyland because he knows how much I love Disney!
LOVE your Sunday Spotlights! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. I'm with you- Starbucks gift cards are my fav! Also Target & Amazon gift cards are great. Fun fact: One year I got a homemade card with an elf picture. The kiddo was so excited to give it to me because for the elf's beard, he glued down REAL cat fur.
What a fun giveaway, Susan Jones! Thanks for the opportunity! Some of my favorite holiday gifts I have received over the years have been small gift cards and handmade ornaments from the students. So sweet and thoughtful! Bookmarks also make great gifts!
One of my favorite gifts are Christmas Ornaments. I love to hang them on my tree in the classroom and my former students love to come see them on my tree!
