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teachers: what are some of your most memorable presents?

by Golo Managing Editor
Published Jul. 14, 2008

 

Happy Monday to the year-round teachers working to beat the heat, and the traditional teachers doing the same...only outside of the classroom.

Here's a quick question for you, and I'm sure you've got some answers that will have us all laughing.

What presents have you received from your students over the years? Tell us about the quirkiest or the ones that left you in tears.

Nothing is off-limits.

Kelly H. told me that a boy in her 4th grade class bought a very tight, form-fitting dress for the teacher and she actually went in the bathroom, put it on and came back out to show them!

Now that's a good one. What's your story?  

 



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Some of the funniest/sweetest gifts are the ones the students bring from their house with or without their parents knowing. I've had half empty perfume, an old t-shirt that was too small, and lots of dirty but loved stuffed animals. I have a special shelf of honor for these things. I've even had students give me their allowance! I make sure to write a sweet note thanking them, but letting them know I'd much rather have a big hug instead of money.

I teach second grade, so I still get the cutesy little gifts from the students. I also keep every picture and every note from my students. I have a file for them and every year I go through them. My most memorable gift was from a little boy who was only in my class for part of the school year. His father neglected him, but DSS said since he was fed and clothed, they couldn't do anything abuot it. He fixed his own food and wore dirty clothes to school. That year, the art teacher had the students make little pottery dishes. He left my school before they were ready to be sent home, so I kept his on my desk. Two years later he returned to our school for about a month. I hugged him for about 5 minutes when I saw him again. I offered him his pottery dish, but he said I was like a mother to him and he wanted me to keep it. I still keep it on my desk. I get a little teary sometimes, wondering where he is and if he's safe. He signed the bottom so his name is preserved forever.

The PTA at my school went out and bought little nick-nacks for the teachers during "Teacher Apprciation Week." Little pencil cups, drawer orgainzers, clock radios, stuff like that. I got earrings. Now, there was nothing wrong with the earrings. They were kinda big and quite gawdy (sp?) gaudy? They were nice and a few other teachers really really liked them. The thing was, I'm a guy and big gaudy grand-ma style earrings just wasn't my thing. (And it still isn't my thing!)

After 20+ years teaching middle school, I think my favorite gifts are the notes they write to me. Very special. One of my students, who was a mildly autistic 8th grader, wrote me a poem. Priceless! They bring me souvenirs from their vacations, and I usually get at least five new Christmas ornaments every year. I love unwrapping them while I decorate my tree and thinking about those former students. My first students are about 35 now!!!

I can't spell tonight. That should be triangle not trianble. Didn't catch the typo in time.

I keep every note a student writes me. My most memorable gift though came in 1987. I had a little boy who came from a home with many problems, although his mother tried the best she could. He rarely came to school clean and never had money to buy ice cream like most kids. I would buy an extra one or "decide" I didn't want mine so he wouldn't be left out.

One day he handed me a package. Inside was a trianble made of ice cream sticks. Inside was one of the small mirrors like you'd find in a wallet or make up bag. The triangle had two layers. On the back of it, he had put a piece of cardboard behind the mirror. On it he'd written, "I love you Miss XXXXX." Then he signed it Love, (his name).

He had been saving ice cream sticks from class and made it for me. That child came so far that year socially and academically. I still think of him and wonder what became of him. He'd be 28 or 29 now.

Middle school-9 years High school-starting my 10th year in August Retirement-11 years to go!! Be here before I know it....

What grade do you all teach? I teach high school, so I rarely get gifts, but I just LOVE the ones I do receive b/c they're that much more special.

I have every note that students have written me, as well as every picture. One of my guys brought me a batch of deer jerky that he and his dad had made-it was delicious! I've had kids bring me venison, and that is always appreciated. Just this morning my son and I went out for breakfast and one of my former students was our waitress-she gave me her discount on our order. I think the very best gift was the afternoon that I was pulling a huge limb across the yard to the burn pile and a carload of my boys slammed on brakes, stopped in my yard, came over and took the limb and finished picking up my yard for me. And the group that came to see me two days after my husband's funeral to ask me to come back to watch passing league will always have a special place in my heart. They made me feel like it was important to them that I be there, and they got me out of the house at a time when I wanted to just curl up and hide. I have been so blessed to get to work with many fine young people!

wifemomteacher, Dang I got goosebumps reading that. I thank God for teachers like you. :-)

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