Can you remember your favourite teacher? I had a few over the years one was my English Teacher at secondary school and she really encouraged me and gave me a love of studying English. I was a huge reader as a teenager and she would challenge my reading by suggesting books that she thought I should be reading. I went on to do English A Level at sixth form and again achieved a great grade.
It was down to Mrs Aspinall that I turned to teaching English myself, she had instilled a love of literature into me. I was already working at St Benedicts School after completing my degree in Social Policy. I initially worked as a Teaching Assistant, helping in classrooms and in the school’s behaviour unit. I then started delivering English catch up sessions to lower achieving pupils and in time I was encouraged to do my PGCE in English and Drama. Working as a teacher I came in contact with many of my previous teachers but Mrs Aspinal evaded me and I have never bumped into her or heard from her since which is a shame as I’d love to tell her just how much she inspired me as I didn’t tell her when I was young that she was my favourite teacher.
Teaching is a vocation and the impact that a teacher can have on a young person’s life is breathtaking. I hope that some of my former students look back at me with fond memories and think I made a difference. Often it is not until much later that young people have the time and maturity to recognise the teachers that made a positive difference to their lives and by that point, they are probably not in contact with their favourite teacher!
Saying Thank You to Your Favourite Teacher with a Teacher Gift
Firstly teachers do not expect gifts and it is quite unusual to receive gifts as a secondary school teacher unless you are in the private sector. However, gifts to teachers in primary schools are far more commonplace but please don’t ever think it is expected. As a parent I have given gifts to my children’s teachers, it is a token of appreciation because it is a tough job!
As a former teacher though, I would suggest steering clear of ‘Best Teacher gifts and even mugs! Be a little more creative and consider gifts that really suit the teacher. You also don’t need to spend much, it is not a competition and should just be a token of appreciation for what they have done for your children.
We actually now do a class gift. Like many, we have a class Facebook group and a couple of years back I suggested that we club together and get a couple of gifts from the whole class. This works really well for us and it means that we all pretty much contribute the same amount which takes the pressure off individuals.
In previous years we have bought the class teacher a Radley handbag, another year it was a Cath Kidston picnic hamper, toiletries and stationery. Last year was smellies and a voucher for their teachers favourite sports label. Out of the money I have also bought one card, flowers and beauty gift sets for their teaching assistant. With this approach, the money goes further and the children enjoy giving a class gift. The parents also like this approach, probably because it is easier and we recognise that the teacher gets a much better gift! We agree on the gift together by people making suggestions and we go with a majority. If you are looking for more teacher gift ideas consider gift vouchers too, even for a cup of coffee as they are all appreciated and helps teachers relax and wind down after a busy term.
Some of the Best Teacher Gift Ideas
As a former teacher, these are the types of gifts that I would like to receive.
- Something personalised that comes from the class, a cushion with all the children’s names on. Or a framed picture of quotes that the children have shared about their favourite teacher or their memories of the year. These gifts can stay in the classroom and keep the room looking lovely.
- Many teachers don’t need more things and therefore some lovely toiletries like the Sanctuary Gift Range as most of us love a good pamper session that washes the stress of the year away!
- We have bought afternoon tea at a local hotel, again a chance to treat yourself to something lovely.
- Clubbing together allows you to buy something extra special.
- Don’t forget homemade – a card, a poem, some homemade truffles – these are always appreciated and it doesn’t need to be about what you spend!
The end of the school year is coming and now is the time to get organised with your gift especially if you are buying a couple.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in Paid Partnership with Sanctuary Spa
