Christmas Gifts For Teachers

As many of you know I had the privilege of working in my grandson's classroom last year. It was a very enlightening experience, especially around Christmas. Our teacher was very beloved by her students and by the parents. She was very involved staying after school to help the kids and to help kids who had been her students, if they were having trouble. Parents brought her many sweet gifts, including lots of chocolates and coffee cups.

But later on that day, we had a discussion of what she really would have liked for Christmas. Please don't get me wrong, she knew that each and every one of these gifts came from the heart. But with the economy what it has been, there were so many other things she could have used.

So here is a list of some of the things that we discussed.

• Extra pencils that she could give out as rewards for good behavior.

• Small musical instruments like tambourines, rattles and rainsticks.

• Extra Dry Erase Markers that she used all the time and never had enough of.

• Stickers for rewards on work

• Certificates ( These could be made on a computer and put to disk so the teacher could print out what she needed)

• New or gently used books for a classroom library

• Volunteers

• Extra school supplies

• Money to go into the field trip fund so that everyone could go on the trips
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• Extra office supplies like folders and file folders, Notebooks, extra paper, ink cartridges for school printers and working printers.

• Gift certificates so she could buy special things needed for the classroom.

She knew that she was loved by the students and their parents but these were more practical things that she could use and enjoy.

Practical Donations

Take a good look around the next time you visit your child's classroom and have a discussion with your child's teacher. Many times you have things that you donate to charity that could be donated to your local schools. Many schools across the country are having to downsize or give up programs that they wish they did not have too.

• Lots of teachers have a hard time getting science materials: ie. such things as soil, cups and seeds to teach biology.

• PE is another place that cuts are being made. Donating your used sporting equipment and making a donation to the PE teacher could make a world of difference.
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• In these hard times, Music and Art are being cut as are after school programs. You as a volunteer can really make a difference. There is a time for complacency and then there are times for action. You can really make a difference.

I wish every teacher this for Christmas, Happy healthy children and enough supplies and patience to teach our wonderful children all they need to know. You as a parent, grandparent or just a concerned citizen can make this happen.

Merry Christmas!

Editor's Note: Are you a teacher? Post your own wish list here!