I am a big fan of teachers, and not only because my mom is also a teacher (retired though). Being a teacher, from my perspective is one of the most difficult professions there is. It takes a special kind of person to be a good teacher.
Pre-school teachers are a special breed themselves. I cannot imagine spending several hours a day with a bunch of energetic pre-schoolers without pulling my hair out. I am very lucky that for the two years that Nadia’s been in school (and the year before in daycare) she had amazing teachers. They are my heroes.
As is customary here, parents bring a gift for their kid’s teachers at the end of the school year (it used to be on June 30, Teacher’s Day, but the school calendar has shifted throughout the years).
These are the gifts I made for my daughter’s head teacher and teacher’s assistant last year. I hope they give you some handmade gift ideas for teachers.
For Ms. S. I made this laptop bag, with a pocket in the front and three inside. It has a long strap that can be removed. As with all my handbags, I used fusible fleece as interfacing, which keeps the bag stiff and gives it more body. The bag closes with a zipper.
Besides a front pocket that closed with velcro, the bag had another large pocket inside that closed with an elastic loop and button.
I also made a wallet with matching fabric. It closes with a snap button, the heart button is only a detail that Nadia insisted I added (she loves hearts).
This is the wallet inside. It has 6 slots for credit cards, a pocket for notes and a zippered coin pocket. I lined the wallet with stiffer interfacing.
For Ms. E., the head teacher I made this large tote with front pocket and two pockets inside.
I lined this bag with blue satin and it closes with a magnetic snap button.
I also made a matching wallet for her, but instead of a snap button this closes with a ladybug button and an elastic loop. The interior is the same as the other wallet.
Next week is parents-teachers conference, and once that’s done I’ll show you what this year’s teachers are getting. I hope they like it, but nothing I can give them will repay their kindness and dedication to my daughter and the other kids.
Is it customary where you live to give teachers gifts? What do you usually give them?
Aunt Clara
When my mom was a young, starting teacher in nineteenmumblemumble, she was assigned to a very poor rural spot on her first assignment. She had to travel about 3 hours every day.These very poor farmers, who could barely read and write themselves, had greater aspirations for their own kids, and they held the teachers in high regards. Teachers were also counselors, psychologists, and they even mediated disputes.Since a lot of the parents could not afford gifts, my mom would get eggs, a lone teacup and saucer, and most amazingly, a live chicken once in a while. 🙂 We had mismatched tea sets for the longest time.
As a teacher, through the years I have received some very thoughtful gifts, ranging from gift cards to local shops and restaurants, to my favorite: a book of Neruda's poems, with little messages inscribed from the kids on the inside page. Last year the students (I teach high school so it is usually them that organizes any gift-giving–) picked out gardening gloves, seeds, and garden tools–as well as bug spray! It was so very thoughtful, and they took sharpies and left messages on the ceramic flower pot for me. It was all wrapped in tissue paper and was such a sweet and thoughtful teacher gift.
We don't, but I love this idea! Teachers work so hard and they definitely deserve more thanks than they get. Clara, I just love your posts, you make some really beautiful things, and your home is just lovely 🙂