I love the job that my son’s Kindergarten teacher is doing, so I want to make sure that I give her a great gift. That’s why I was excited to receive a list of the “perfect” holiday teacher gifts (along with some funny stories of gifts gone bad) from Phillip Done. A Disney nominated Teacher of the Year, Mr. Done is the author of Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood. (I’m taking notes…)
What are the most memorable teacher gifts from your staff room?
•A pair of earrings from a child who said they reminded him of his teacher. They were hoop earrings with marijuana leaves in them.
•A set of high ball glasses
•A Barbie doll with a crocheted dress that fits over a toilet paper roll
•A box of chocolates. One third was gone. The other third was half-eaten. Apparently the child put them back until he found the filling he liked.
•A porcelain mask of Elvis
•An Emergency Survival Kit including: Red Bull, teacher’s favorite candy, and quick microwavable meals
•My aide received one earring. When she asked about the other one, the student said he gave it to the librarian.
What are some of the funniest teacher gifts you’ve ever received at the holidays?
•A used roll of duct tape.
•An avocado wrapped in aluminum foil.
•A mug that said “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.”
•A wall calendar that was about to expire
•Santa boxer shorts. From the kid’s mother.
The Five Absolute BEST Gifts for Any Teacher:
1. Gift cards: You can never go wrong!
2. Movie passes
3. Food: Dinner, homemade treats, chocolate
4. Books for the classroom
5. The Best Gift of All: a note of appreciation from a parent or student
*I’m glad to see that I gave Michael’s pre-kindergarten teachers what they really wanted. (I gave them gift cards to Target.) I’m still not sure what I’ll be giving this year though. At least I have some direction now.*
