Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Recently a friend of mine mentioned that teachers make close to 100- 150 k a year is that true .?

Why is it so prevalent to give gifts to them?

I would like certainly to gift teaching assistant , aids, bus driver / matron who are not making that much

I am so confused now as to what I should do

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Is it mandatory? No. Is it nice to appreciate the individual who educates your child for 7 hours a day, 185 days a year? Sure. I don’t know why their salary would be a factor in your decision.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I am also not going to gift the doctor who is taking care of My child , is it nice sure , would I do it probably not ...
For people who earn a lot sure it does not matter
For others I think it would
As someone who has gifted so far I am seriously considering not this year

Message edited 6/14/2019 8:51:44 PM.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I almost never give teacher gifts. I gave to my DD kindergarten teacher bc I felt she went truly above and beyond in a few situations that year and was very appreciative.

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Nothing is mandatory. Except death. And taxes.

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I give my kids teachers gifts. Although some make good money (my kids teachers this year are fairly new so they do not make what you stated) they spend a lot of time and effort and many of them spend their own money on things.

We have had wonderful teachers so far as well - so I want to thank them.

You can see how much teachers make in the See Through NY website.

Message edited 6/14/2019 10:53:13 PM.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

It is not mandatory but is nice if they went above and beyond. My younger daughter's teacher sucked this year so I am not giving her a gift, except for what I contributed as a class. She also has an aide who was also crappy this year. I'll give her a thank you card. My older daughter had a fantastic teacher who went above and beyond. She would help with issues, text me with questions and concerns and was just overall wonderful. She will get a very generous GC and gift. My older also has an aide to again was fabulous. My older daughter is difficult and she really earned her pay with her this year lol. She will also get a very generous gift.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Clearly you don’t want to give a gift so don’t. Not sure why what someone makes factors into the decision. My sons teacher is retiring this year and yes makes between 100-150 but have an w tire career that requires a master degree she deserves that salary. And yup I gave her a gift cause she was a great teacher.

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I see tipping as salary support. This is what you do to your waiter as a standard... even if he or she didn’t do a great job.

For a teacher, salary is inconsequential. It’s a group gift to avoid 20 gift cards to different places/trinkets. It is a thank you for all the thought, love and effort that goes into the job. A good teacher goes above and beyond.

I also gave a gift for my OB and the nurse. She had stayed 15 minutes past her shift to deliver me. He had come in tirelessly for my very weird labor. I also trust him 100% and have sent family to him (and they travel over an hour because he really is THAT good).

I have gotten only a handful of gifts in the past for my job. It’s one where people don’t even realize what I do (and I totally don’t expect them to). BUT I remember it, and appreciate it, and the hand written notes get saved and valued even more than the occasional bottle of wine.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

What they make has nothing to do with a tip. If you are appreciative and think they did a great job educating your child, a thank you note and small token gift is something nice to do. Do they expect it?no.

I contribute to the class gift of $5-10 that the class moms collect.

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I don't understand complaining about how much a teacher makes? The person who is in charge of educating and protecting your precious child every single school day for a year. You don't need to gift but you also shouldn't be complaining that you are not tipping because they make too much already. Is a $5 starbucks or target gift card really going to break you? For taking care of your child all year? Some parents do send nothing, but the people that do send, I have seen cash amounts up to $100 by individuals or like $400 when pooled with all students! or other types of gifts. some just do a bottle of wine or a home cooked dessert. It's the thought that counts....I thought of you and am appreciative you took care of my child. Yes it's their job... you don't NEED to tip them for that, but it looks like you are just looking for excuses to not gift something. Just quietly don't do it. Whether she is working for free or making one million dollars... this is more a token of appreciation than anything else.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Gift alcohol.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

It’s not mandatory, but I do. I live in a relatively low income area with many families on public assistance/section 8 so I am sure most don’t get gifts. But I will since in I am in position to do so...

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I am a long-time teacher. I make a decent living. Gifts are not necessary. I think they go overboard at the elementary level. Secondary teachers do not receive the same types of gifting. If you are so opposed to a gift but love your child's teacher write a thank you letter. It will mean more than whatever you were going to give. Period.

P.S. I have a book of letters from both parents and students that I cherish. It means the world to me!

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

It's not mandatory and not everyone does it.
IMO, it would be odd to send in gifts of appreciation to the teacher assistant and not the teacher - like a sign you really disliked the teacher.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

to me, I always send in a gift for my kid's teachers. It doesn't matter how much they make... to me, teaching isn't a "normal" job. They have sometimes 30 kids to not only keep busy/ engaged all day... but they're also responsible for actually getting them to learn something. and especially at the elementary level, they're dealing with things like lost teeth, untied shoes, sicknesses, snack time, taking lunch orders, little arguments or social relationships among the kids and their classmates, collecting random forms the PTA sends home, filling out IEP paperwork and setting up for a substitute so they can attend a students IEP meeting. sometimes they don't even really get a lunch break because they're doing lunch or recess duty so they're basically stay at home moms on top of actually trying to teach the kids the curriculum during the day. So, to me they definitely deserve a little something extra at the end of the year- even just a $15 gift card to target or starbucks or a restaurants to treat themselves to an extra meal out...

Message edited 6/16/2019 10:53:48 AM.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

End of year gifts are not mandatory or expected. They are definitely appreciated, however, if the teacher has gone above and beyond for your child.

I will also add that new teachers are not making anywhere near what you stated.

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

First of all, teachers do not make 100 - 150K a year, not even close in most districts. Like another person posted, this is the person that is teaching, caring for, protecting, tending to, putting up with your child for 10 months.

That being said 100 dollars is a little steep. Use your own discretion.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I give a gift to my children teachers to thank them for their hard work, it has nothing to do with their salary. It is NOT mandatory.

Message edited 6/19/2019 12:10:21 PM.

Re: Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

I have a lot of teachers to buy for. My son gets services so he alone has 5, my daughter has 1 and an aid and my son who graduated pre k had 2. I give for the holidays and by this point I just don't have the money to give what I would like to each teacher. I give them a nice card, contribute to the class gift which is 5.00 and I buy a small gift card for the rest. I get anywhere between 15-25 gift cards for the teachers. I truly appreciate my kids teachers. They do so much for my kids especially the group that works with my son. I know that I could easily just give the 5.00 and nothing else but for me I love to give a little extra small something and write a personalized message in the card.

Message edited 6/19/2019 3:34:36 PM.

Is it mandatory to give gifts to teachers ?

As a teacher, it is really appreciated that someone thinks of you. Even a gc to dunkin/starbucks goes a long way. They can get a cup of coffee easily.

As a parent, it's my way of saying thanks for putting up with my kid this year. A couple of bucks are not going to break me and it's a nice gesture.