As students repay the gift of learning come Christmas, teachers report getting an influx of baked goods, lotions, ornaments and coffee cups. Those items may be the norm, but teachers give accessories and gift certificates an A, along with personal presents that demonstrate thought and effort. How’s that for a cheat sheet?
Name: Gabriele Wilson
Age: 33
Where: New York City
School: Parsons The New School for Design
Grade: College seniors in the communications design department/BFA.
Most common gifts: “Gifts? What?”
Best Gift From A Student: “Outstanding work.”
Wish list (not necessarily from students): “I am currently obsessed with a black-tie Prada dress. It’s black silk with the classic Marilyn Monroe shape. The problem is that it’s $2,500. I’m not sure I can justify that, but I don’t see why my students wouldn’t chip in for it? Are you guys reading this? Easy A.”
Name: Paige Hamilton
Age: 26
Where: Austin, Tex.
School: L.C. Anderson High School
Grades: Ninth through 12th, theater.
Most common gifts: Starbucks gift cards and baked goods.
Best gifts from a student: “Anything having to do with my subject area: theater arts. A student once gave me a ‘Broadway’ stuffed cow with all kinds of Broadway symbols collaged all over it.”
Wish list (not necessarily from students): “A vacuum and a new pair of Dansco clogs — the perfect teacher shoe.”
Lessons: “When students give thoughtful gifts or even just cards, it is very meaningful. It does not have to be anything big….Sometimes just an acknowledgement of hard work will be the best gift in the world.”
Name: Marilyn Covey
Where: Buffalo, N.Y.
School: School #82
Grade: First
Most Common Gift: Coffee mugs.
Best Gift From A Student: Bath oils and lotions.
Wish list (not necessarily from students): Stationery and gift certificates for local restaurants.
Lessons: “Weirdest gift: One child gave me a nightgown and slippers. They were nice, but it was kind of creepy getting that from a student.”
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Name: Eve Osborne
Age: 34
Where: Raytown, Mo.
School: Westridge Elementary
Grades: Kindergarten through fifth, music.
Most Common Gift: Ornaments and mugs filled with hot cocoa or candy.
Best Gift From A Student: A gift card to Chili’s restaurant.
Wish list (not necessarily from students): A video camera.
Name: Wendy Metzler
Age: 28
Where: Hutto, Tex.
School: Hutto Independent School District
Grade: Fifth
Most Common Gift: Ornaments.
Best gifts from a student: Gift certificates for a pedicure or Starbucks.
Wish list (not necessarily from students): Ski tickets.
Lessons: “Teachers really want a gift that gets them away from the school, something that helps us unwind and relax. Bath & Body Works is great, and gift certificates for dinner or other things are great. Don’t forget, we do have lives outside of school.”
Name: Jenny Austen
Age: 29
Where: Charlotte, N.C.
School: Charlotte Latin School
Grades: Sixth and seventh, Spanish.
Most Common Gift: Food (cakes, cookies).
Best gifts from a student: Gift card for the grocery store, $200 cash from an entire grade, wine.
Wish list (not necessarily from students): “Gift cards all around!”
Name: Laura Raetzsch
Age: 23
Where: Austin, Tex.
School: Steiner Ranch Elementary
Grade: Kindergarten
Most common gifts: Candles, chocolate, gift certificates.
Best Gift From A Student: “A chair that a parent had all of the students’ handprints on.”
Lessons: “I like any gift that shows that thought was put into it.”
Name: Maria Reyes
Where: New York City
School: United Nations International School
Grade: Fourth
Most Common Gift: Lotion.
Best Gift From A Student: “Student-made cards and a big, big hug.”
Wish list (not necessarily from students): A nice watch.
Name: Wayne Boggs
Age: 56
Where: Georgetown, Tex.
School: Georgetown Ninth Grade Campus
Grade: Ninth, world geography.
Most common gifts: Coffee cups and baked goods.
Best gifts from a student: A geography tie, gift certificates to Barnes & Noble and a huge basket full of gourmet foods and two bottles of very good wine.
Wish list (not necessarily from students): “This year my wish list is short and simple: winning lotto tickets. Actually, I want a trip for two to San Francisco or maybe Rome.”
Name: Ann Bommarito
Age: 32
Where: New York City
School: Harbor Science and Arts Charter School
Grade: Administrator
Most Common Gift: Mugs.
Best Gift From A Student: A handmade scarf.
Wish list (not necessarily from students): Gift certificate for Pilates private sessions.
Lessons: “Ways to pamper myself.”