A parent’s gift-Giving Guide for teachers
By JOHNA UNDERWOOD
As the holidays approach, you may notice students becoming less excited about science and social studies and more excited about class parties and Christmas vacation. We notice too. This time of year can be great fun for both teachers and students, but the activities of the season can also overwhelm all of us. Christmas break is as much for the teachers as it is for students.
So, if you’re wondering what to get your child’s teacher as a holiday treat, may I somewhat jokingly offer the following gift-giving guide based on common student behaviors.
Elementary teachers are running low on supplies and stamina. If your elementary student has wallpapered your refrigerator in art, consider giving the teacher a 64-count set of Crayola crayons. If your student has lost two hoodies, three lunchboxes, and an innumerable number of papers to be signed, consider a few “lost keys” beepers that can be attached to coats, lunchboxes and homework folders.
If your student has not quite mastered raising their hand or sitting in their seat, don’t worry, they will get there. In the meantime, a coffee gift card can help your child’s teacher get through one more session of “please sit in your seat. No, not your friend’s seat, your seat. Yes, you need to SIT in the seat…”
And, of course, as we move into the heart of cold and flu season, elementary teachers could benefit from Sam’s value-sized containers of Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. Oh, and if your budget allows, you could also throw in a Hazmat suit.
Middle school teachers are running low on paper and patience. If your middle school student has discovered the time-honored arts of origami and paper airplane making or has begun practicing for the NBA using up all available paper to make “basketballs,” consider giving the teacher a 500-sheet ream of printer paper from Office Depot. You might also consider a few additional trash cans because if your student’s teacher has to say one more time, “please pick that up and throw it away properly,” they might just lose their Christmas spirit.
Middle school is also a time of fluctuating hygiene, so a nice holiday air freshener can brighten the, umm…, atmosphere of any classroom. And, if your student, like many middle schoolers, has faced the challenges of first loves and finding out who their real friends are, then I’m sure their teacher would appreciate a few more boxes of tissues. The drama will likely continue into the spring, so not only will extra tissues come in handy, but maybe a movie gift card would be nice too. After all, middle school teachers have endured much drama during lunchtime so far this year; it might be nice for them to see a comedy on the weekends.
High school teachers are running low on cleaning materials and caring. If your teenager has become the Grinch who carries around a rubbish-filled backpack, consider giving the teacher a box of contractor-grade trash bags so they can help your student find their missing work. “Hey, look, there’s that assignment from last week!”
Automotive paper towels are great for soaking up the multiple coffee spills caused by bleary-eyed seniors arriving late to second period after they stayed up all night to complete the assignment they had two weeks to do.
High school teachers would also appreciate notebook paper, pens and pencils. High school students don’t even ask to borrow those items anymore. They simply take them from the cabinet or table because high school teachers stopped verbally responding to those requests during the second week of school and just started pointing to the student supply area.
All joking aside, the best gift any teacher can get is a sincere thank you. Amid the always busy holiday season, taking the time to send a note of appreciation would be the best gift any teacher could receive.
Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.
