"My daughter is in 5th grade and she wants to get her 4th grade teacher a very very speacial gift for her since my daughter is leaving elementary school and she might not see her again.What is a gift that will really touch her heart?"

"I think the best gift for a teacher is to be so cooperative in the class, polite and a hardworker!"

"Please don't take this the wrong way. I love my job, I love my students, I love my parents. But you need to think about the job we do. It does not pay but a dime. And if your not married it is a hard life. SO, I love gift cards. That is the way to go. All my co-workers will tell you the same. Target, starbucks, or a spa. All which I can't afford since I devoted my life to poverty! A class collection of 2 dollars will buy a pedicure. I can' afford it otherwise. Don't bother with the donation in my name. I give so much already! "

"I found this to be really helpful. I will keep this in mind for my child's teacher 'end of the year' thank you as well as future teachers at Christmas"

"I would like to put in a 'plug' for a special breed of teachers out there...'Sunday School Teachers.' These men and women are usually volunteers, many have full-time jobs and/or children they are raising themselves. They teach because they love children and want to encourage them in their lives. We bend over backwards giving gifts to teachers who are paid (don't get me wrong--school teachers REALLY deserve our thanks!!!). Won't everyone consider thanking a volunteer teacher for your child this year? I know it will be appreciated. ~from an appreciative children's minister :-)"

"Great ideas! Thank you for this site!"

"I just received a special gift from one of my students. For a year-end gift, he donated a book to the school library in my honor. The book will contain a plate stating that it was placed there by him for me. I can't describe how special this is to me. I love reading, and my students know that since I encourage them to read all year."

"I have Experience teaching special education at the highschool level, and assisting in the junior highschool level general ed classrooms.....I have experience teaching in my own classroom at the preschool level....For the past 5 years I have been the only male preschool teacher at the preschool I teach at, I would say I had some great gifts given to me....One was a former student of mine recognizing me while I was out with some friends of mine recently...I have not seen this child in 4 years and he identified me right away which ment to me that he never has forgotten me which is something special....In 2002 I was given a card that said 'Thankyou for being a positive male role model in my son's life' from a parent who was struggling to raise her son on her own....That ment so much to me, more than any paycheck I have ever gotten...Teaching is about the feeling of doing something that feels good, I love teaching! "

"I agree with the 'just say thanks'! I have a collection of endearing letters from parents and students praising me for the extra time and effort that I put into making school a wonderful place to be and learn. I appreciate them and have kept them in a special place! I would prefer that any money they would want to spend on me be donated to a needy family or a good cause!"

"How about telling the teacher's boss. In 'normal' jobs...if you do a great job...you tell the person's boss. If your child really loves their teacher...it is usually for a good reason. Ask them...who is your best teacher and why? Then tell the principal and write a nice letter to the superintendent of schools. Candles...soaps...are all fine...but a great complimentary note would be the best thank you a person could get. Plus--it's free."

"I always ask my chidrens' teachers for a classroom wish list. There are always things the teacher needs in the classroom that ultimately benefit the children ... wish lists facilitate class gifts that benefit our own children and the teacher's future classes! A small donation from each family with a letter of dedication is far more memorable than 20 coffee mugs or ornaments!"

"As a current teacher, there are two gifts that I have recieved that stand out in my memory. One was from a little boy who was so excited to tell me that he picked out my gift all all by himself, and that it only cost $2! He had chosen a special purse that he thought I would enjoy and couldn't wait for me to open it on the last day of school. The other perfect gift was a heartfelt letter, written by a parent, thanking me for the positive changes she had seen in her severely shy son that year. He had gone from rarely ever muttering a single word, to wanting to be an actor on stage. Gift certificates are wonderful, and so are many other things-but truly what counts are the items that come from the hearts of excited children and thankful parents."

"Teachers also love to be able to pamper themselves to pedicures and manicures(paper dries out the skin)and they love certificates to restaurants. "

"When is the last time you looked at a teacher's salary? They are still getting a pittance for everything they are required to do. PLEASE!! I can't tell you how many unpaid hours my children's teachers have to put in to get all their work done. They deserve multiple thanks and gifts as far as I'm concerned. I know every teacher of my children has spent their own money buying things for their classrooms because they have such little budgets. I try to be as creative and personal as I can in the gifts me and my children get for their teachers. They deserve it!!"

"It is obvious that a few of the folks who have made comments do not know any school teachers personally. Teachers do not get paid for their efforts or ability. We do not get bonuses, and our raises are not much when they are spread out over 12 months. As a teacher, it is nice to recieve a little note, gift card, etc. to know that your efforts haven't gone unnoticed. I have recieved Chrismas ornaments that I still put on my tree and can remember the child that gave them to me. I have gave my son's teachers gifts over the years, it is the LEAST I could do for what they have done for him!!!"

"My son's teacher is an excellent example of everything I would ever wish for in a teacher. For Teacher Appreciation Day, I wrote an Acrostic poem, out of her name (each letter begins a line of the poem), and she loved it. She sent out a letter of thanks, and mentioned the poem. She said she would keep in her photo box. I can send you the poem if you'd like an example if you'd like to do this for a particular teacher. "

"My child just started preschool this year and so this is the first year I'm giving a gift to her teacher. I spoke with a friend who is a teacher and she said all teachers love gift cards. I think the idea about a letter to your teacher's boss is also a super idea. As a parent, what I am most thankful for is a teacher that models good values, doesn't use profanity and keeps me up to speed on my daughter's progress. That deserves a gift! (by the way...some of these ungrateful teachers that commented below wouldn't get a gift from me because they certainly don't have the kind of attitude I would want to encourage! sheesh!) "

"I enjoyed reading this article and was happy to see it because it's this time of year. I understand the teachers' perspective but most parents if not all do not want to bribe the teachers but just want to say thanks with more than words. As a parent I always write thank you notes to my children's teacher but at the end of the year I also like to give a small token. Another gift that I think teachers also appreciate is notecards and envelopes because they always use them."

"Thanks so much for the great article. My youngest child will be leaving the elementary school, that all my children had attended. That school had been a part of my life for 15 years. I had no idea how to let the teachers and the staff know of my appreciation and how much I will miss them. You gave me great ideas to go on. Thanks again!"

"My boys purchased their teachers a leather bond personalized planner. One of my boys purchased his teacher planting tools and flower buds because the teacher told him working in her flower bed was relaxing. We have also given gift certificates to have a full body massage."

"Giving my son's teacher a gift is my way of thanking him/her for their wonderful work. We are not obligated to gift, so it is not a bribe or compensation. I also think it would be difficult for a young child to have his/her teacher turn down their gift. I can imagine teachers get a lot of “teacher items” so I try to give gift certificates for coffee or Blockbuster. I have also given Lotto tickets/scratches. I don’t have to spend much but there is always the chance they could win big! I enjoyed this article and liked the idea of public praise and noting the classroom needs. There are many ways to contribute to a classroom and to thank your teacher, using little money and/or time."

"To the quotes on 5/4 - Well thank goodness for how times have changed!! No more working for a pittance and living off the generousity of the townspeople!! Oh, and the one about 'accepting a gift from a taxpayer is as equivilent to accepting a bribe'? Obviously this person has no clue and doesn't know what they're talking about because civil employees can accept gifts. But I guess if your non-ed-u-ma-ca-ted (non-educated) you wouldn't know this. I only have to ask two things...Where on earth did you come from, and from what ignorant rocks do you crawl out from? These teachers are who our children look up to and appreciate, they spend more time with our children then we do; and that's a good thing for a lot of children. If my child wants to give her teacher a gift, I'm going to let her whether its store bought or home made. Teachers, just like police officers are underpaid, overworked and unappreciated for the work they do! I would just like to thank all the teachers out there for their wonderful and hard work, and let them know that if it wasn't for them, none of us would have the jobs we have today, because none of us would be able to read or write. The problem with society now a days is that there isn't any respect any more."

"05/16/2007: ''There is NO reason that, in today's modern education system, a teacher should be accepting even the smallest gift from one of his or her students. This practice dates from the days when teachers were paid a pittance and were forced to live off the generosity of the townspeople they served. For a civil employee to accept a gift from a taxpayer is equivalent to accepting a bribe.' The person who wrote this is self absorbed. The teachers in most little towns or very rural areas still do not make very much. Some need the help of g.c. to the supply stores because they do not even come close to getting everything they need to adequately teach the children. They teach for the love of it and to help children to learn. We have bought certificates throughout the yr from the Scholastic book orders. Most are just asking for a simple 'Thank you'. I do not 'BRIBE' anyone. I thank them in any way I can for a job very well done. Last year we took up a collection and bought a certificate t! o a nice restaurant of their choice and some lotions from Bath and Body, because out teachers make just a little more than Wal-Mart workers. This year Mrs. Gilbert, K, from Sesser-Valier, Illinois is getting a candle lotion basket from home interior with handwritten notes from my son and myself. My son loves school and Mrs. Gilbert and it is because of these thankless teachers that he wants to be smarter than everyone else and be there even on the weekends. So THANK A TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!' This is the 3rd submission I have finaaly caught all the typos thank you"

"The suggestions above for teacher gift ideas are appreciated. I live in a somewhat small community and we see our teachers on and off duty. It is especially reassuring to know that teachers themselves prefer a hand written note or letter of praise and thank you. That is just what I will do. Thank you."

"Thank you for this article. I always get worried that our gift is not 'enough' to express appreciation for the time my son's teacher has invested in him. You don't want to insult the teacher by getting something cheap and you don't want to break the bank either. Teachers are so valuable and over extended, its good to know how they feel. "

"Ask your teacher to answer a list of questions about likes and dislikes. Dont forget favorite color, restaurant, type of food and Do you drink coffee???? I think personal gifts are the best, if you want to collect for the class have the kids do that on their own to promote unity!"

"What the heck you people it is much better to give than receive. I have never had a problem with being grateful to the good teachers that spend the day with my kids and I would want my kids to also learn the value of being thoughtful with some kindness and express that they do appreciate their teacher in their own way. And you don't even have to spend a lot of money wich isn't the important part of teacher appreciation day. A little time for you child to recognize the importance of giving. A homemade card will take a little time from your schedule,a note, a picture ,you can pick some flowers from your garden. Thoughtfulness doesn't have to have a price tag Just the thought that counts!"

"Really, we are all adults and have free will to make our own choices. If you don't want to buy or make a gift...don't. Don't scrutinize others who feel joy from the happiness of others. I agree that a teacher should not expect a gift, but if a parent or child wants to show thier appreciation in that manner...that is thier right."

"I don't know how you could equate a gift and a bribe. Many people give gifts to civil employees or professionals with whom they often do business. Ever give your mailman a Christmas gift? Tip your hair stylist extra around the holidays? I find it insulting that you think I would trade grades or favoritism in the classroom for Starbucks gift cards. I am a first year teacher and I strongly support the suggestion of giving things that can be used in the classroom! I have spent TONS of money on things from the basics (like kleenex and pencils) to lab supplies (I work in an under resourced school in the inner city, so much of my measly pay is spent on supplies that would be readily available in suburban schools)."

"Teachers deserve special recognition, so I think that getting gifts for them is a great idea. The school that my daughter goes to sent home a letter asking for cleaning & school supplies for the classes. Anyways, there are special days for the boss, secretary,etc. So why not for the teachers?"