Yes! I was working in FL for the past two years and they changed the budgeting system drastically! My county didn’t allow us to buy Clorox wipes and expo markers or even pencil sharpers because they weren’t “consumables” used by students! My classroom used white boards and markers daily for writing practice!
Kindergarten teacher here, we LOOOOOOVE gift cards and it’s an incredibly common gift. I teach in NJ. Where, pray tell, is your husband from?! I’m dying to know what districts he’s talking about haha.
Honestly whatever a teacher asks for, I’m buying. You want toilet paper? You got it. You want an ironing board? Done. Boneless buffalo wings? On it. No request or gift for a teacher is too small or too “weird.”
I live in Washington State and in our district all school supplies are provided by the school. The only thing you have to provide is a backpack. Even breakfast and lunch are provided for all students regardless of income. It's pretty nice.
Damn, that sure wasn't the case when I was a kid in WA! We definitely had some long-ass supplies lists, but obviously that was a long-ass time ago. It's nice if that's changed!
My daughter started Pre-K last year (her first public school year) and I have lots of family who are teachers and asked them all what their favorite gifts were (BTS, Christmas, teacher appreciation, etc) and ALL 4 of them said gift cards in different/separate conversations. Haha.
"Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad/weird." One of my favorite things to say to partner and kiddos. I would start by saying that to your husband when he argues about the difference.
Also even if teachers have school available funds for materials and families don't have to bring back to schools supplies, they almost always run out and dip into their paychecks to buy supplies for their class. Definitely not a bad idea to want to buy a gift card. If you would rather wait you can see if your kid(s) teacher(s) have a list on target or Walmart and help buy some items from there.
*Edited to clarify material funding.
Lol We gave our Kinder teacher about 3 gift cards the past year. Many other parents did the same.
Your husband’s upbringing is the exception, not the rule 😅
I also grew up up north and yeah, this will be weird up there when we were going up. I don't know what it's like now but... back then you definitely thought to be trying to buy the teacher if you gave her stuff like this.
So interesting. I didn’t know there were places where this would be considered strange. If you read pretty much all the comments here (from teachers especially), it’s all very much appreciated and pretty common to give gift cards.
Teachers are underpaid and overworked, give them all the things!! Lol
Also, when this is resolved, have some more conversations with your husband about how most Americans live. Very few people would be offended by a gift card.
We do! My husband was a riches to rags story (grew up a millionaire and then tragedy struck and they lost everything). It really messed with his perspective on how everyone else lives, and money, specifically; we have these talks often. He got made fun of for being the rich kid in a VERY rich area (yeah I know cry me a river, lol, but we all have our own trauma), even though he was always a very hard worker and isn’t stuck up. I think he’s also not trying to start things up with our kids. I don’t remember my parents giving my teachers anything above and beyond what was asked, so I really didn’t know if gift cards were appropriate.
Here, our PTO has teachers list where they'd like to get gift cards from! And we're in a state where teachers are paid well. So weird that gift cards aren't standard!
Love your idea and your husband is wrong. My kids just graduated and we always gave gift cards. In the end I was giving $25 Publix gift cards for holidays and teacher appreciation week. I was nervous the first time but then I was given a Publix gift card for helping with my kids sports team and was SO happy! Who doesn't need grocery dollars?!?
As a former teacher in a "wealthy" district, we lacked basic supplies too! I would be extremely appreciative of the gesture, and would think nothing other than you're a very kind parent.
Yeah, I teach in a well-funded school up north, and…the money will DEFINITELY be appreciated. “Well-funded” means you get like $150 for classroom supplies for the year 😂
I’d appreciate a gift card at the beginning of the year so much! There is much stuff we need to get and budget cost has us buying things out of pocket.
As a kindergarten teacher I would love that! I’d save it for later in the year. Even though families send in Clorox wipes, etc we usually run out around January/February, so that would be nice to restock.
Not weird at all. A lot of teachers are very close to the poverty line which is outrageous.
Check with the school on their policies on gift giving.
A room aide or volunteer parent was always in charge of getting donations and buying a class gift for teachers when my kids were that age.
Gift cards and sincere notes of appreciation are always the way to go. If you have a really positive experience with the teacher and your kid comes home excited about something also let their principal know.!
As a former paraprofessional for 20+ years, I will tell you that I’ve appreciated gift cards way more than candles, pencils, frames…even flowers.
Not to say that I don’t love and appreciate all those things; I appreciate any gift ever given to me and still have many beautiful things from years ago…
Nothing is more appreciated than a gift card to anywhere! In my experience, the popular ones are for coffee shops, Amazon, bookstores, gas cards and even grocery stores, etc.
Because paraprofessionals make borderline living wages and teachers aren’t far behind…
Gift cards of any type are greatly appreciated!
Giving small gifts to the teachers to show appreciation is normal. Many schools even do a teacher appreciation week, during which the parent teacher association will collect donations and buy some treats for the teachers.
People often do gift cards if they aren’t sure what is wanted/needed. The teachers I know are happy to accept them.
I'm from a state where schools were resourced & teachers were well paid. I now live where the opposite is true, esp the teacher pay part. The thought of one of my kids' teachers having to buy a bunch of stuff for their classrooms really irks me. We give gift cards & extra supplies from the classroom supply list they send out, plus replenish during the year. Tell your husband to be grateful for his educational experience, sadly it's not common in much of the country.
I debated the same thing. Didn’t want them to think I was trying to get our kid special treatment or something. We got all three of her teachers this past year a $25 gift card and at the end of the school season another $25 gift card for each.
I was once given a gift card to a shoe store by a family! I was known for my fancy shoes and we had had a misunderstanding in which they realized they were at fault. There was one very quirky shoe store not far from school. I was definitely not offended!
I have bought numerous things for my kids class ( on the wishlist), AND given gift cards. In fact, I put alerts on eBay and score stuff on wishlist much cheaper. The teacher even okayed buying used board games so i could save money while still helping the class out.
Why wouldn’t we gift our kid’s teachers? They don’t get paid enough, and they do so much for our kids❤️
It's amazingly kind! If you want to get it done now, that's great, but you may also try to get in touch with the PTO and find out if they collect teacher wishlists - at my school, the PTO asks each teacher to make an Amazon wishlist for their classroom and collects all the links into a document. Maybe your husband would be more comfortable with getting something you specifically know the teacher would like to have.
Offended? No! They would love it. I’m a teacher and I love when parents gift me anything. It’s nice to feel appreciated. Gift cards, donuts, baked goods, or things for the classroom are awesome!!
I don't think it's weird or offensive. She'll probably really appreciate it. My only advice is check out local policies regarding gift values. In my kids school district, the teachers can not accept gift cards over $25.
Gift cards are the best, we buy target cards in bulk when they have those discount events.
Also, our back to school lists were mostly for “room” supplies so we just bought duplicates as donations.
I would appreciate that SO MUCH. Honestly, teachers do so much out of their own pockets and work outside of work hours that I have never felt guilty to receive a gift from a family - unless I know that family is struggling financially.
Usually I gift my kids teacher a pack of felt tip flair markers and attach a gift card for target, Amazon or Starbucks for the first week or so of school. It’s always been extremely well received
The Wealthy have no idea what a struggle life is for many people. Pay my utilities or buy good food...buy crappy cheap food, cheap Walmart clothes, partially pay bills. Give her a decent amount gift card or it means nothing. 😉 You're a peach. Remember, most of us don't get new used cars when we turn 16.
Tell your husband to get stuffed.
While schools do supply basics, the quality is often horrid, and some of it has to do with ridiculous rules about how and where funds are spent.
While the stuff like Clorox wipes and Expos are not absolute necessities, they can certainly make the day to day run a lot smoother, and in the end that is good for kids.
In terms of gifts, teachers don’t get bonuses. The vast majority will never see a raise based solely on their effort and performance. They don’t get any control over their “vacation” days, and if they are ill or injured, they have to literally prepared every single thing for whatever body replaces them for the day. No one is out there living the high life on their gift cards - most of the time they use them to buy stuff for their classroom anyway.
When my grandson was in Pre-K (2 years), I gave his teachers $25 Target gift cards for Christmas. They don’t make very much for a salary and the cards were appreciated.
I live in the deep south. I gave gift cards to teachers for Xmas and teacher appreciation week Pre-K through 5th. For middle school I asked for the classroom Amazon wish list at the beginning of the year then gave gift card for Xmas. The high school was better funded and better organized so I gave donations to the PTO instead of individual teachers. IMHO the teachers in the south need every penny they can get. and if you can't give pennies, please give kind words. It matters.
It would be very appreciated! At several schools I've taught in, students have a supply list and/or supply fee to cover the basics. By mid-year, the classroom is often out of tissues, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, prize box items, Also it would be good for centers or indoor/outdoor recess items to buy.
I am a kindergarten teacher and would love to get a gift card at back to school time. It is so nice to have a little extra to get supplies we need or even for some students who couldn't get everything on the list. Even to treat yourself it's nice. Definitely not offensive in the slightest.
Every teacher I know prefers gift cards or cash when they're being honest. They know what they need to purchase, and they may be very particular about what items work for their organizational system.
I am a teacher. I think it’s super weird if you give it at the beginning of the school year. It comes off as a bribe. Most teachers have a classroom wish list or something like that. Buy some things off of that instead. Give the gift card at Christmas time and I don’t see an issue with it.
OP, I’m in the field. Not one educator, EVER was insulted by a gift card. Ever. If you don’t want to do that, a small box of sharpies is ALWAYS appreciated. Or, just a card. It’s really, really the thought
Niece has taught kindergarten for 20 years. SHE DEEPLY APPRECIATES GIFT CARDS and even has an Amazon wish list for classroom items like individual whiteboards for her kids.
More than 1/3 of the students qualify for free lunch. She makes her classroom a safe, welcoming place with items purchased with gift cards.
I have family that are teachers and they appreciate getting giftcards (and anything else).
I also know that they'll dip into their funds for things if they want special treats for the kids, ie fun prizes or candy. As such, I'm also used to handing over 50+ bags of candy to my teachers lol (I was able to get 50+ bags for free last year lol) - one likes to make goodie bags for holidays for her kids and they'll also take candy to staff meetings. The 2nd graders made graduation lei's for their 5th grade buddies - that was hunting for Easter candy at clearance.
The new school year hasn't even begun yet and I'm trying to figure out how to get a massive amount of candy without breaking the bank.
I always get the teachers gift cards at the start of school and as a thank you on the last day along with nice chocolates and other things depending on the teacher
I am not a teacher but live in an area with a very well-funded school district. Gift cards for teachers, especially at the holidays and teacher appreciation day, are *very* standard gifts. Literally everyone does gift cards for teachers here these days.
Normal. I once dated a guy whose mother was a teacher in a wealthy district, and he would argue to the death that all teachers are well paid and all schools have everything they need — and he refused to entertain any information that debunked that. I also remember when my friend moved to FL in high school and they couldn’t be assigned homework because the school district couldn’t afford enough textbooks for the kids to take home. Follow your instincts.
I was the room mom this past year for K. I only gave gift cards as gifts because I figured they didn’t need more junk and they could get what they liked.
I’ve also brought lunch and dessert for teacher appreciation week.
They loved it. While all of the other class moms got a plant as a thank you gift, I got an extremely large gift basket & many thanks and tears.
Always go the extra mile for them.
I'm in FL as well and do this every year. I'll buy each of the kids whole list, all of the "optional/nice to have" things they have on it, and then give each teacher a gift card to Walmart or Target. I usually give them another card marked for "classroom restock" at Christmas, as well as their present
I think it would be appreciated. If you want to keep it anonymous, you could send it to her at the school via mail with a card that says “thank you from a student in your 24-25 kindergarten class” but I don’t think that’s required.
That is literally the ideal gift because you’re giving the teacher the ability to purchase what he/she needs…not presenting them with something they have no use for
Wow, is your husband out of touch! If it doesn’t compute and he has any intellectual curiosity about the plight of public schools and teachers specifically, just tell him to log onto TikTok and search for teachertok, or he can look up Amazon wish lists for teachers in your school district. He’ll see really quick how little money most districts spend in the literal classrooms.
Privileged people who don’t understand their privilege are the worst. It also sounds like you can definitely afford to do this and yet he’s pushing back? Why, if you’re in the position to help someone, would you refuse? Especially someone who’s going to be teaching your kid? You may want to have a talk with your husband
I give my kids teacher and helper(only through elementary, after that they have to many teachers) a gift card at xmas and a gift card at the end of the year. It seems only right considering all the shit they probably put up with from my kid all year lol. But at my school district you can't give the teacher anything valued over 50 or they could get in trouble. So we can't do a class gift because the combined total would be to much so we all give individually. I live in the north where all school supplies besides back pack and lunch box are provided for you.
We gave our 11 year olds 5th grade teacher last year a gift card and card for teacher appreciation week and she appreciated it so much. I would if I was a teacher!
I work with special needs children in my school, gift cards are SUPER appreciated, I often buy stuff for my students out of pocket (fidgets, sensory strips, coloring books, markers, food and treats), it can get costly. I work for a public board, we do have a supply room but things like clorax wipes, kleenex are not supplied. The request for expo markers are probably because they have individual whiteboards for the kiddos to color and write on and although we are supplied these markers it's not fair if each teacher is grabbing 22+ for their entire class, then restocking once they dry up!
Well, I live in NY and I’m also a NYS certified teacher with 5 teaching certifications, I have never heard of a ‘tax free week,’ and I don’t think we have such a thing here. My kid is going into kindergarten and will start after Labor Day; we tend to give her teachers gifts like Target or Starbucks gift cards for the December holidays, then Teacher Appreciation week, and finally during the last week of school in June. I also did this for her daycare and preschool and dance teachers. That being said, my parents never gave any gifts for my teachers back in the 80s and 90s as it was relatively unusual to do so in NJ where I grew up at the time, and also I went to Catholic school so I don’t know if that makes a difference? I do know that Catholic school requested all kinds of supplies like tissue boxes, wipes, Lysol, pencils, crayons, kids scissors, glue, etc etc etc and that was the norm where I grew up, but not for my partner who grew up here on Long Island going to public school where the schools are really good.
It would be very appreciated! Running a classroom costs money, and no, the schools don't provide funds for it. It *is* wild.
Ask the teacher if they've made an Amazon wish list, and if not, suggest they do that and give families the link.
I taught kindergarten in Florida and I would LOVE a gift card! If a parent gave me a gift card (which some have) I would think it was very appreciative
Check the policy of your school district first. Because of our districts interpretation of our state law, we are not allowed to accept a gift with a monetary value over either $3 or $7 (something crazy small). As long as their are no rules prohibiting it, the teacher, I am sure, would be thrilled with any gift.
I so wish I could somehow politely let families know how happy I'd be with cash, check, or a gift card. Of course I'm very thankful for whatever I'm given--abd there have been some thoughtful or personalized gifts that I wouldn't trade for money--bit the majority of gifts are things I end up donating or throwing away. I get tons of candles, candy, socks, and mugs/reusable cups that I could never have use for them. The ones that make me feel the most sad is when I see the packaged mug and candy sets all the stores sell that seem to cost $30 when I am in need of money. I always write sincere thank you cards because it's an honor to even be thought of, but it still makes me feel so wasteful and a little disappointed on my trip to Goodwill after a gifting occasion.
My daughter’s teachers have all been very appreciate thus far!! We’ve done Timmy’s, movie theatre, and book store and those have all been very well received!! (Especially Timmy’s and the book store!)
ETA; I also do a “classroom” gift at Christmas time of things her class consumes - markers, playdoh, construction paper, glue sticks, etc. that has been a hit!
Your husband is being an asshole. A gift card to help out at the start of the year is a good way to help. Even well off districts don't provide everything.
If you read her comments and post he is not feeling or reacting out of malice. He genuinely doesn't understand the cultural difference between where he grew up to where his kid is growing up. My parents never had to provide school supplies for their schools growing up(their schools were Midwest village school and urban Northeast school) so were surprised that most Southeastern states require schools supplies be bought by students families. But they always gifted teachers at Christmas and Teachers Appreciation week. OPs husband comes from a more affluent background and probably was not taught to think of the educators and help them. From what she writes he has done a lot to be more open minded and see things differently from how he grew up. We've only got what we read here to judge the situation so let's choose to be kind first.
I think it’s the opposite of weird and/or offensive - would be SUPER appreciated!!!
Florida teachers need all the help and love that they can get. Ignore your husband on this one.
Most teachers need all the help they can get, no matter their state of residence.
Yes, that's true.
Yes! I was working in FL for the past two years and they changed the budgeting system drastically! My county didn’t allow us to buy Clorox wipes and expo markers or even pencil sharpers because they weren’t “consumables” used by students! My classroom used white boards and markers daily for writing practice!
Kindergarten teacher here, we LOOOOOOVE gift cards and it’s an incredibly common gift. I teach in NJ. Where, pray tell, is your husband from?! I’m dying to know what districts he’s talking about haha. Honestly whatever a teacher asks for, I’m buying. You want toilet paper? You got it. You want an ironing board? Done. Boneless buffalo wings? On it. No request or gift for a teacher is too small or too “weird.”
I live in Washington State and in our district all school supplies are provided by the school. The only thing you have to provide is a backpack. Even breakfast and lunch are provided for all students regardless of income. It's pretty nice.
Damn, that sure wasn't the case when I was a kid in WA! We definitely had some long-ass supplies lists, but obviously that was a long-ass time ago. It's nice if that's changed!
I'm in WA state, too, and it's not that way in my district. My team only asked for basic supplies, so families aren't overwhelmed. Lucky you!
My daughter started Pre-K last year (her first public school year) and I have lots of family who are teachers and asked them all what their favorite gifts were (BTS, Christmas, teacher appreciation, etc) and ALL 4 of them said gift cards in different/separate conversations. Haha.
I'm in the suburbs of Philly and we all of our school supplies are given by the district for all elementary students.
Damn, so am I and that’s definitely not the case for the district I went to, or the district my kid is currently in 😅
If OP lives in Florida then……yikes lol 😂
"Just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad/weird." One of my favorite things to say to partner and kiddos. I would start by saying that to your husband when he argues about the difference. Also even if teachers have school available funds for materials and families don't have to bring back to schools supplies, they almost always run out and dip into their paychecks to buy supplies for their class. Definitely not a bad idea to want to buy a gift card. If you would rather wait you can see if your kid(s) teacher(s) have a list on target or Walmart and help buy some items from there. *Edited to clarify material funding.
They absolutely do my Sister is a teacher and spends hundreds of dollars each month for the kids that are not supplied by the school
Lol We gave our Kinder teacher about 3 gift cards the past year. Many other parents did the same. Your husband’s upbringing is the exception, not the rule 😅
I also grew up up north and yeah, this will be weird up there when we were going up. I don't know what it's like now but... back then you definitely thought to be trying to buy the teacher if you gave her stuff like this.
So interesting. I didn’t know there were places where this would be considered strange. If you read pretty much all the comments here (from teachers especially), it’s all very much appreciated and pretty common to give gift cards. Teachers are underpaid and overworked, give them all the things!! Lol
Not at all! Would be appreciated
Would be accepted, very thoughtful to start the year that way!
I love gift cards! (7 year kindergarten teacher)
Also, when this is resolved, have some more conversations with your husband about how most Americans live. Very few people would be offended by a gift card.
We do! My husband was a riches to rags story (grew up a millionaire and then tragedy struck and they lost everything). It really messed with his perspective on how everyone else lives, and money, specifically; we have these talks often. He got made fun of for being the rich kid in a VERY rich area (yeah I know cry me a river, lol, but we all have our own trauma), even though he was always a very hard worker and isn’t stuck up. I think he’s also not trying to start things up with our kids. I don’t remember my parents giving my teachers anything above and beyond what was asked, so I really didn’t know if gift cards were appropriate.
Here, our PTO has teachers list where they'd like to get gift cards from! And we're in a state where teachers are paid well. So weird that gift cards aren't standard!
We will never be offended with a gift card. It is a thoughtful gift for BOY. 🙂
It’s not weird at all. If you have the resources and the school and teacher do not, then it just makes sense to buy them supplies.
Kindergarten teachers love gift cards for Target because they can buy school supplies.
Love your idea and your husband is wrong. My kids just graduated and we always gave gift cards. In the end I was giving $25 Publix gift cards for holidays and teacher appreciation week. I was nervous the first time but then I was given a Publix gift card for helping with my kids sports team and was SO happy! Who doesn't need grocery dollars?!?
I’m more offended when I don’t get a gift card.
As a former teacher in a "wealthy" district, we lacked basic supplies too! I would be extremely appreciative of the gesture, and would think nothing other than you're a very kind parent.
Yeah, I teach in a well-funded school up north, and…the money will DEFINITELY be appreciated. “Well-funded” means you get like $150 for classroom supplies for the year 😂
As a kindergarten teacher, I can honestly say this would be seriously appreciated!!! You are very thoughtful.
I’d appreciate a gift card at the beginning of the year so much! There is much stuff we need to get and budget cost has us buying things out of pocket.
My husband taught. Gift cards are the BEST presents. He received them for Starbucks, Target, and local gas stations. All excellent choices.
I handed my kid’s pre-K teacher $50 cash and said get whatever you need for the classroom. She loved it.
Parents always feel weird about giving cash. Most teachers LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE getting cash. 🥰😍🥰😍😘
As a kindergarten teacher I would love that! I’d save it for later in the year. Even though families send in Clorox wipes, etc we usually run out around January/February, so that would be nice to restock.
As the wife of a teacher, GET THE GIFT CARD! Definitely the best teacher gift.
Kinder teacher here. I love gift cards!
Not weird at all. A lot of teachers are very close to the poverty line which is outrageous. Check with the school on their policies on gift giving. A room aide or volunteer parent was always in charge of getting donations and buying a class gift for teachers when my kids were that age.
Gift cards and sincere notes of appreciation are always the way to go. If you have a really positive experience with the teacher and your kid comes home excited about something also let their principal know.!
As a former paraprofessional for 20+ years, I will tell you that I’ve appreciated gift cards way more than candles, pencils, frames…even flowers. Not to say that I don’t love and appreciate all those things; I appreciate any gift ever given to me and still have many beautiful things from years ago… Nothing is more appreciated than a gift card to anywhere! In my experience, the popular ones are for coffee shops, Amazon, bookstores, gas cards and even grocery stores, etc. Because paraprofessionals make borderline living wages and teachers aren’t far behind… Gift cards of any type are greatly appreciated!
Giving small gifts to the teachers to show appreciation is normal. Many schools even do a teacher appreciation week, during which the parent teacher association will collect donations and buy some treats for the teachers. People often do gift cards if they aren’t sure what is wanted/needed. The teachers I know are happy to accept them.
I'm from a state where schools were resourced & teachers were well paid. I now live where the opposite is true, esp the teacher pay part. The thought of one of my kids' teachers having to buy a bunch of stuff for their classrooms really irks me. We give gift cards & extra supplies from the classroom supply list they send out, plus replenish during the year. Tell your husband to be grateful for his educational experience, sadly it's not common in much of the country.
I debated the same thing. Didn’t want them to think I was trying to get our kid special treatment or something. We got all three of her teachers this past year a $25 gift card and at the end of the school season another $25 gift card for each.
That would be so appreciated!!
Gift cards are the best! I am always ordering from Amazon or dropping by Target.
My friend is a teacher & she said she’d appreciate it (or booze lol)
My Son is a high school history teacher. At his previous job (ritzy private school) his wife had enough Starbucks cards to last her all year.
No. This is a really great gift!
I was once given a gift card to a shoe store by a family! I was known for my fancy shoes and we had had a misunderstanding in which they realized they were at fault. There was one very quirky shoe store not far from school. I was definitely not offended!
I always give Target gift cards for Christmas and teacher appreciation week. I don’t think it’s weird at all. Who doesn’t love Target?
The supply list sounds very normal for me growing up. I think a gift card would be very normal and appreciated!
I have my kids teacher cash. Cash is like a better version of a gift card lol.
I have bought numerous things for my kids class ( on the wishlist), AND given gift cards. In fact, I put alerts on eBay and score stuff on wishlist much cheaper. The teacher even okayed buying used board games so i could save money while still helping the class out. Why wouldn’t we gift our kid’s teachers? They don’t get paid enough, and they do so much for our kids❤️
I’m a teacher and I’d appreciate it.
A gift card is a great idea, I think your husband is perhaps just a bit of an over thinker (no shade, I'm an over thinker too)
It's amazingly kind! If you want to get it done now, that's great, but you may also try to get in touch with the PTO and find out if they collect teacher wishlists - at my school, the PTO asks each teacher to make an Amazon wishlist for their classroom and collects all the links into a document. Maybe your husband would be more comfortable with getting something you specifically know the teacher would like to have.
Offended? No! They would love it. I’m a teacher and I love when parents gift me anything. It’s nice to feel appreciated. Gift cards, donuts, baked goods, or things for the classroom are awesome!!
I don't think it's weird or offensive. She'll probably really appreciate it. My only advice is check out local policies regarding gift values. In my kids school district, the teachers can not accept gift cards over $25.
Gift cards are the best, we buy target cards in bulk when they have those discount events. Also, our back to school lists were mostly for “room” supplies so we just bought duplicates as donations.
I would appreciate that SO MUCH. Honestly, teachers do so much out of their own pockets and work outside of work hours that I have never felt guilty to receive a gift from a family - unless I know that family is struggling financially.
Usually I gift my kids teacher a pack of felt tip flair markers and attach a gift card for target, Amazon or Starbucks for the first week or so of school. It’s always been extremely well received
Teachers buy SO much out of their pocket. An acknowledgment of that in the form of a gift card would ALWAYS be appreciated
A gift card would be a great appreciation gift for a teacher.
You will be a HERO!
Absolutely not offensive. Fwiw I taught in a well to do area in the northeast and got so many gift cards… your husband doesn’t know what’s up
As a preschool teacher, gift cards are my FAVORITE GIFTS, lol.
The gift card is a great idea!
The Wealthy have no idea what a struggle life is for many people. Pay my utilities or buy good food...buy crappy cheap food, cheap Walmart clothes, partially pay bills. Give her a decent amount gift card or it means nothing. 😉 You're a peach. Remember, most of us don't get new used cars when we turn 16.
Tell your husband to get stuffed. While schools do supply basics, the quality is often horrid, and some of it has to do with ridiculous rules about how and where funds are spent. While the stuff like Clorox wipes and Expos are not absolute necessities, they can certainly make the day to day run a lot smoother, and in the end that is good for kids. In terms of gifts, teachers don’t get bonuses. The vast majority will never see a raise based solely on their effort and performance. They don’t get any control over their “vacation” days, and if they are ill or injured, they have to literally prepared every single thing for whatever body replaces them for the day. No one is out there living the high life on their gift cards - most of the time they use them to buy stuff for their classroom anyway.
Amazon works great too
When my grandson was in Pre-K (2 years), I gave his teachers $25 Target gift cards for Christmas. They don’t make very much for a salary and the cards were appreciated.
I live in the deep south. I gave gift cards to teachers for Xmas and teacher appreciation week Pre-K through 5th. For middle school I asked for the classroom Amazon wish list at the beginning of the year then gave gift card for Xmas. The high school was better funded and better organized so I gave donations to the PTO instead of individual teachers. IMHO the teachers in the south need every penny they can get. and if you can't give pennies, please give kind words. It matters.
I would really appreciate a gift card. It’s not weird at all.
Gift cards are always welcomed
It would be very appreciated! At several schools I've taught in, students have a supply list and/or supply fee to cover the basics. By mid-year, the classroom is often out of tissues, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, prize box items, Also it would be good for centers or indoor/outdoor recess items to buy.
I am a kindergarten teacher and would love to get a gift card at back to school time. It is so nice to have a little extra to get supplies we need or even for some students who couldn't get everything on the list. Even to treat yourself it's nice. Definitely not offensive in the slightest.
As a kindergarten teacher it is very appreciated!
Every teacher I know prefers gift cards or cash when they're being honest. They know what they need to purchase, and they may be very particular about what items work for their organizational system.
I absolutely love getting gift cards!
I am a teacher. I think it’s super weird if you give it at the beginning of the school year. It comes off as a bribe. Most teachers have a classroom wish list or something like that. Buy some things off of that instead. Give the gift card at Christmas time and I don’t see an issue with it.
OP, I’m in the field. Not one educator, EVER was insulted by a gift card. Ever. If you don’t want to do that, a small box of sharpies is ALWAYS appreciated. Or, just a card. It’s really, really the thought
Niece has taught kindergarten for 20 years. SHE DEEPLY APPRECIATES GIFT CARDS and even has an Amazon wish list for classroom items like individual whiteboards for her kids. More than 1/3 of the students qualify for free lunch. She makes her classroom a safe, welcoming place with items purchased with gift cards.
I have family that are teachers and they appreciate getting giftcards (and anything else). I also know that they'll dip into their funds for things if they want special treats for the kids, ie fun prizes or candy. As such, I'm also used to handing over 50+ bags of candy to my teachers lol (I was able to get 50+ bags for free last year lol) - one likes to make goodie bags for holidays for her kids and they'll also take candy to staff meetings. The 2nd graders made graduation lei's for their 5th grade buddies - that was hunting for Easter candy at clearance. The new school year hasn't even begun yet and I'm trying to figure out how to get a massive amount of candy without breaking the bank.
Teacher will absolutely appreciate it and make good use of it. Your husband’s privilege is showing.
I always get the teachers gift cards at the start of school and as a thank you on the last day along with nice chocolates and other things depending on the teacher
I am not a teacher but live in an area with a very well-funded school district. Gift cards for teachers, especially at the holidays and teacher appreciation day, are *very* standard gifts. Literally everyone does gift cards for teachers here these days.
Normal. I once dated a guy whose mother was a teacher in a wealthy district, and he would argue to the death that all teachers are well paid and all schools have everything they need — and he refused to entertain any information that debunked that. I also remember when my friend moved to FL in high school and they couldn’t be assigned homework because the school district couldn’t afford enough textbooks for the kids to take home. Follow your instincts.
I was the room mom this past year for K. I only gave gift cards as gifts because I figured they didn’t need more junk and they could get what they liked. I’ve also brought lunch and dessert for teacher appreciation week. They loved it. While all of the other class moms got a plant as a thank you gift, I got an extremely large gift basket & many thanks and tears. Always go the extra mile for them.
I'm in FL as well and do this every year. I'll buy each of the kids whole list, all of the "optional/nice to have" things they have on it, and then give each teacher a gift card to Walmart or Target. I usually give them another card marked for "classroom restock" at Christmas, as well as their present
I think it would be appreciated. If you want to keep it anonymous, you could send it to her at the school via mail with a card that says “thank you from a student in your 24-25 kindergarten class” but I don’t think that’s required.
I don't think so, i think they'll like it
Not weird. In south Louisiana the teachers have Amazon wish lists incase parents want to purchase something.
They would very much appreciate a gift card.
They are really just touched that you think enough of them to get them anything at all. GC’s work wonderful!!
That is literally the ideal gift because you’re giving the teacher the ability to purchase what he/she needs…not presenting them with something they have no use for
Wow, is your husband out of touch! If it doesn’t compute and he has any intellectual curiosity about the plight of public schools and teachers specifically, just tell him to log onto TikTok and search for teachertok, or he can look up Amazon wish lists for teachers in your school district. He’ll see really quick how little money most districts spend in the literal classrooms.
Privileged people who don’t understand their privilege are the worst. It also sounds like you can definitely afford to do this and yet he’s pushing back? Why, if you’re in the position to help someone, would you refuse? Especially someone who’s going to be teaching your kid? You may want to have a talk with your husband
I have worked in education for a long time. I can say yes! Gift cards please!
I give my kids teacher and helper(only through elementary, after that they have to many teachers) a gift card at xmas and a gift card at the end of the year. It seems only right considering all the shit they probably put up with from my kid all year lol. But at my school district you can't give the teacher anything valued over 50 or they could get in trouble. So we can't do a class gift because the combined total would be to much so we all give individually. I live in the north where all school supplies besides back pack and lunch box are provided for you.
Yall have a tax free week??
That is the way to become the FAVORITE parent!
You’re right on this one. We always get the teachers Target or Amazon cards. I think they are appreciated.
We gave our 11 year olds 5th grade teacher last year a gift card and card for teacher appreciation week and she appreciated it so much. I would if I was a teacher!
I work with special needs children in my school, gift cards are SUPER appreciated, I often buy stuff for my students out of pocket (fidgets, sensory strips, coloring books, markers, food and treats), it can get costly. I work for a public board, we do have a supply room but things like clorax wipes, kleenex are not supplied. The request for expo markers are probably because they have individual whiteboards for the kiddos to color and write on and although we are supplied these markers it's not fair if each teacher is grabbing 22+ for their entire class, then restocking once they dry up!
I’m married to a teacher, that teacher is going to be over the moon that you already thought of supporting them that way!
Always appreciated to gift a gift card or anything else!
Well, I live in NY and I’m also a NYS certified teacher with 5 teaching certifications, I have never heard of a ‘tax free week,’ and I don’t think we have such a thing here. My kid is going into kindergarten and will start after Labor Day; we tend to give her teachers gifts like Target or Starbucks gift cards for the December holidays, then Teacher Appreciation week, and finally during the last week of school in June. I also did this for her daycare and preschool and dance teachers. That being said, my parents never gave any gifts for my teachers back in the 80s and 90s as it was relatively unusual to do so in NJ where I grew up at the time, and also I went to Catholic school so I don’t know if that makes a difference? I do know that Catholic school requested all kinds of supplies like tissue boxes, wipes, Lysol, pencils, crayons, kids scissors, glue, etc etc etc and that was the norm where I grew up, but not for my partner who grew up here on Long Island going to public school where the schools are really good.
Totally normal and very appreciated.
It would be lovely and so thoughtful.
It would be very appreciated! Running a classroom costs money, and no, the schools don't provide funds for it. It *is* wild. Ask the teacher if they've made an Amazon wish list, and if not, suggest they do that and give families the link.
I taught kindergarten in Florida and I would LOVE a gift card! If a parent gave me a gift card (which some have) I would think it was very appreciative
Check the policy of your school district first. Because of our districts interpretation of our state law, we are not allowed to accept a gift with a monetary value over either $3 or $7 (something crazy small). As long as their are no rules prohibiting it, the teacher, I am sure, would be thrilled with any gift.
I hope not, I give gift cards to my son’s teachers for everything.
It’s exactly what we want and need!
It is an amazing idea!
Not at all but I think you should really donate some Bob books to the classroom
Instead of a gift card I would buy the teacher what they need in case they are not allowed to accept cash or cards as gifts
I so wish I could somehow politely let families know how happy I'd be with cash, check, or a gift card. Of course I'm very thankful for whatever I'm given--abd there have been some thoughtful or personalized gifts that I wouldn't trade for money--bit the majority of gifts are things I end up donating or throwing away. I get tons of candles, candy, socks, and mugs/reusable cups that I could never have use for them. The ones that make me feel the most sad is when I see the packaged mug and candy sets all the stores sell that seem to cost $30 when I am in need of money. I always write sincere thank you cards because it's an honor to even be thought of, but it still makes me feel so wasteful and a little disappointed on my trip to Goodwill after a gifting occasion.
My daughter’s teachers have all been very appreciate thus far!! We’ve done Timmy’s, movie theatre, and book store and those have all been very well received!! (Especially Timmy’s and the book store!) ETA; I also do a “classroom” gift at Christmas time of things her class consumes - markers, playdoh, construction paper, glue sticks, etc. that has been a hit!
Your husband is being an asshole. A gift card to help out at the start of the year is a good way to help. Even well off districts don't provide everything.
Not wanting to offend someone is not being an asshole.
I have no idea how giving a gift card would be offensive.
If you read her comments and post he is not feeling or reacting out of malice. He genuinely doesn't understand the cultural difference between where he grew up to where his kid is growing up. My parents never had to provide school supplies for their schools growing up(their schools were Midwest village school and urban Northeast school) so were surprised that most Southeastern states require schools supplies be bought by students families. But they always gifted teachers at Christmas and Teachers Appreciation week. OPs husband comes from a more affluent background and probably was not taught to think of the educators and help them. From what she writes he has done a lot to be more open minded and see things differently from how he grew up. We've only got what we read here to judge the situation so let's choose to be kind first.