Give a gift to teacher I don't like?

[ReneeW]

To Scrooge or not to Scrooge, that is the question.

I am not a fan of my DD's first-grade teacher. I don't hate her, but I gotta be honest ... not a fan. On the one hand, I know she's got a terribly hard job, one that I could never in a million years do. I realize that teachers are underpaid, under appreciated, and that I should really just suck it up and give the poor lady a gift and my support. But she's just so cold, not nice, doesn't seem helpful, she's just kinda "bleh" and doesn't encourage or motivate the students or even seem to really like her job at all! I've only volunteered once this year due to having two jobs at the moment, I was hoping I'd grow to like her more. But ... not so much.

(Sigh.) I must say, while I'm typing this I'm leaning toward getting her something, maybe a gift card to Caribou, because being a teacher is hard, tough, kind of sucky work. I believe strongly in supporting your kids' teachers as much as possible (unless there are big-time problems in which you go in and raise some hell) ...

What's your take?

[love]

That is tough. Does DD like her? Or do you just not like her? If she is a good teacher and just a snob I would get her something. Have DD maker her something and do a small gift. DS is in ECFE and we give his teacher something. It is just ECFE but they all take care of him and you can tell truly enjoy him, one bothers me but ehhh I'm over it.

[danikasmom]

My son's 5th grade teacher was very cold and we didn't like her either. We got her a $10 gift card for coffee and had ds make her a card. I wanted to say thank you, but didn't put a lot of thought into it, because I felt I had to not because I wanted to. I believe in saying thank you, but it's hard when you don't care for the person.

[sarahisis]

maybe a heartwarming gift is exactly what she needs... she may not hear very often that she is appreciated, and who knows what kind of things may be going on in her non professional life.. I vote to "not scrooge!"

[ReneeW]

Thanks, Ladies. I was thinking that to "not Scrooge" would be the RIGHT thing to do, even though part of me doesn't want to spend my hard-earned money on a cranky person!!! But I think I will get her something and have DD make her a card and at least write a note about appreciating her hard work ... I know how under-appreciated teachers are. It's just weird because I've always ADORED my kids' teachers--this is the first time I've been "blah" about a teacher so it's a new experience.

[Champ]

I LOVE teaching the younger grades and it is sad to hear that your teacher doesn't seem to be enjoying her job this year. Yes, it is a hard job and she could have a difficult class and lord knows what is going on in her outside life, BUT I sure hope that the kids are getting the best education that she can give them. First grade is a HUGE stepping stone and to not give it your all to teach the kids does a lot of harm.

I hope that your kind gesture shows her that you do care.

[bumblebee23]

I think you should get the gift. Who knows maybe it will crack a smile out of the cold cranky women! LOL