Patti Bacchus: Thank your child’s teacher this holiday season

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      I’m not big on holiday gift-giving, and I stopped sending Christmas cards years ago, but when it comes to teachers and others who help raise our kids, I’m a believer.

      This year, teachers have been working without a contract since the end of June, and many are feeling the added stress of B.C.’s teacher shortage and challenges with the composition of their classrooms.

      Many teachers thought their struggles with government were over when voters sent Christy Clark packing in 2017, and they are disappointed things haven’t improved much for them under the John Horgan government. They could use a morale booster this holiday season, and here are some ideas for giving them one that really means something.

      You could start by sending an email to your MLA, the premier, and Education Minister Rob Fleming telling them to give the teachers a better deal that what’s been offered so far and to invest more in public education, with a blind copy to the teacher.

      Then do something more personal.

      You don’t need to spend a lot—or any—money on your kids’ teachers, but you do need take time to think about all the things they do for your kids, and then let them know what you appreciate about them.

      Teachers don’t get workplace perks. There’s no Christmas bonus or even a holiday party with free food and booze. While other workers may sneak home a few office supplies, teachers buy supplies for their classrooms, out of their own pockets. Heck, they don’t even get so much as free coffee at work. The least you can do is show them how much you appreciate what they do for little Rachel or Oliver.

      Teachers may also be putting even more hours in for holiday concerts or other school events, taking time away from their own families. They deserve our thanks.

      So, what should you give your child’s teacher this holiday season?

      The best gifts are priceless

      I’ve been researching this topic for years. I often ask teachers and school support workers what kind of gifts they get and which ones mean the most to them. Hands down it’s the thoughtful, personal notes, from both parents and from kids. Many teachers say they keep all their notes and cards forever, and they treasure them.

      What they don’t generally love as much are the “greatest teacher” mugs, candles, or boxes of chocolate. Most are happy to get gift cards for a book store but don’t value those as much as a heartfelt personal note. You can’t go wrong by giving both, of course, but only if you can truly afford it.

      Last week, I posted a tweet asking teachers about the most meaningful gifts they’d received, and what they appreciated getting.

      As expected, handmade personal cards came in at number one, with thoughtful homemade gifts coming in second. A few said they were touched by charitable donations made in their names. One said that at the end of the last school year, families went together on a donation in her name to the American Civil Liberties Union in support of families torn apart at the USA/Mexico border (she also appreciated a bottle of premium tequila they gave her.)  Another said she was touched by a donation to her late father’s favourite charity, made in her family’s name.

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      Wine also seems to be popular among many teachers, although I don’t advise popping bottles containing alcohol into your kids’ backpacks. Deliver those yourselves, and only if you know the teacher well enough to know they like wine and drink alcohol. Or do what I used to do some years and pop a liquor- or wine-store gift card in with a card and note. That way they can choose something they really like.

      Homemade gifts made an impact on a French Immersion teacher in West Vancouver who replied to my tweet, including an “amazing quilt” made of pieces of fabric students had chosen and cut out themselves. I’m guessing some heroic parent coordinated that project and put all the squares together. She also loved a photo book she received with her students’ autographs.

      On the quirky side, Nick Smith, a teacher from Gibsons, said he keeps a Shakespeare action figure he received and Shakespeare finger puppets on his desk and filing cabinet. Something tells me his students know he’s a big Bard fan.

      A homemade hand-painted drum was a hit with teacher Brian Cross, who also appreciates other student-made art pieces. He also like letters, whether they’re handwritten or typed.

      Christine S (she doesn’t give her full name on twitter, but I know her in real life), a primary-school teacher in East Vancouver, tweeted that although her favourite gifts are handwritten notes, she also treasures little gifts she’s received from dollar stores, and she remembers who gave her each one and how excited they were to watch her open them.

      A teacher from Ontario replied to my tweet, adding her voice to the chorus of those who love heartfelt, handwritten cards and notes, saying she keeps them in a box to give her a lift when she’s having a bad day or doubting her life choices.

      A handmade Christmas ornament, given several years ago, is loved by a teacher who says it reminds him not just of the student, but also of the student’s family. You won’t make that impact with a gift card.

      It’s not a competition

      When my kids were in elementary school, I liked to include them in thinking about a gift, and a few times we made cookies together and wrapped them in a nice package or basket. We had fun doing that and they were accepted graciously, but I know I’d think twice about eating homemade cookies during cold and flu season, especially when children were involved in the preparation and packaging.

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      I confess that was more about doing an activity with my kids and teaching them about giving and gratitude than it was about the recipient. That’s why I’d also pop a gift card of some sort in a card just from me, with a sincere note of appreciation. Other parents at our West Side elementary school gave more extravagant gifts at times, including gift certificates for meals at expensive restaurants.

      It can be awkward when some parents spend a lot while others can’t afford to. Younger kids love to see their teacher open their gifts, but that can be tough on kids who don’t have one. The last thing any teacher wants is for a student to feel badly for not having a gift. If you do decide to give something on the more expensive side, consider dropping that off at the school office instead of sending it to class with your child.

      When my kids were in high school, they didn’t want anything to do with holiday gifts for teachers. Parents don’t have the same connections they do to the seven or eight teachers their kids have per year in high school the way they do with classroom teachers in their elementary years.

      I tried to keep up the notes and modest gift cards anyway, because anyone who deals with teenagers for a living deserves our appreciation. At a certain point, I shifted from bookstore cards to liquor-store gift cards for those I knew well enough to know that would be appreciated.

      Maybe now that it’s legal, some teachers might enjoy some pre-rolled cannabis. I’d advise the same approach as I do with alcohol—only give to those you know partake in it, and only if you know they’d be comfortable receiving it from a parent. And drop it off yourself—do not send it to school with your kid.

      Teachers tell me that if parents are struggling financially, they don’t want them spending any money on teacher gifts. They’d much rather parents take a few minutes to write a note and encourage their kids to make cards.

      Don’t forget other school staff members who make a difference in your kids’ lives, including education assistants, librarians, counsellors, supervision aides, and administrators. If they’ve done something special or kind for your child, a quick note or card thanking them for it can mean a lot.

      When it comes to showing your appreciation for teachers and others who support your kids at school, it truly is the thoughts and the words that count.

      I’ll be taking a break until the new year. I wish you and yours and happy and healthy holiday season.

      Patti Bacchus is the Georgia Straight K-12 education columnist. She was chair of the Vancouver school board from 2008 to 2014.

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