It’s the end of a very big year for teachers. They’ve no doubt been ripped a new one by either Principal or parent at some point during the year for some ridiculous reason. Without doubt they are over algebra, spelling tests and Frosty the fucking snow man and just want to go the hell home.
And we, as parents need to recognise, the fact that they have had our children for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for roughly 44 weeks of a year. Probably more waking hours than you and I when you think about it. Of course, it is our God given right as parents to whinge profusely about the amount of holidays our kids and their teachers receive but let’s be honest, we’re all just pissed we weren’t more onto it when carving out our own career paths.
But seriously, I prepare enough teachers Tax returns to see that they, like so, so many of our undervalued public servants, need to be paid more. I mean, they hold the most important job in their hands. Whether you have children or not, surely it is obvious that these guys have one of the most significant jobs in the land? A good teacher is worth more than any FIFA world cup bid or footbridge, yet the government still seem oblivious to this. To keep good people, you must reward. Anyhoo, I will just stand down from my red soapbox now because this is not what this post is supposed about.
It’s about alcohol. And the gifting of said alcohol. Well teacher gifts anyway.
Sam has 4 teachers. Unusual yes, but he has 3 teachers who jobshare his class and one main SEU (Special Education Unit) Teacher. Hence, they received two massive boxes of Cadbury Favourites between them. Maddison had a top teacher this year who also was a chocolate fiend. Jacks, well I know what Jack is like. I knew she’d need medicating. So I asked around and apparently her drink of choice is Vodka.
We've rolled up to the drive-thru BWS with the kids fully freaking out. “Why are we here?” “You said we were getting Miss Jo a present!” “All they sell in this place is ALCOHOL!!” Yes kids, natures remedy for a god awful day. Something with which I think Miss Jo is all too familiar with.
This morning, Jack ran in, all fresh faced, happy as Larry, excited to find his teacher in the playground and present her with a bottle of very nice “Bodka” He practically screamed across to her “Miss Jo!!!, we have some alkyhole for you!!!! But I don’t want you to have a hangover!" Cue wailing. Oh. Dear. Note well, there is no way he learned about hangovers from his mother. None at all.
What do you do for the teachers?
30 comments:
Amen. Teachers are incredibly undervalued and underpaid.
Belle's has the best teacher in the world. The world. I'd get her anything and everything. But I'm still tossing up whether to flick this to her so will have to stay mum on what that anything may be.
Should I pass it on??
Yeah, tell her to comment on what she might like. Bodka perhaps?
Your comment about doing teachers' tax returns & knowing how much less they are paid for the huge & unique responsibly of educating children was SPOT ON.
I've been a teacher for 40 years because of these reasons:
- a genuine love of kids ( wanted to be a teacher since I was 11)
- knew instinctively how to be a teacher
- enjoyed the rewarding and heartening ways children show they are understanding and learning....
I did not do it because of:
- the money - average dosh, not what it should be
- the hours - sure kids might attend 6 hrs a day but teachers are at school early till late & then they're taking work home
- the holidays.yes I agree they seem a huge benefit but the physical, mental and emotional toll teaching takes out of a good teacher requires a re-charge.
As far as the role of Principal goes- let's have a look at the role:
- educational leader and advisor to all staff
- financial manager
-Human resources manager
-OH&S team leader...
There's more but compare this : I led a school with 400 kids- diverse needs & backgrounds - 3 special needs classes, 2 autistic classes, 2 OC(gifted classes) and regular stream classes. I was responsible for too many things to list here ..including bring available 24/7 to my bosses.
My pay was around 1/5th of a manager of a similar sized enterprise.
NOT GREAT - so I wasn't doing the job for the money!!
My best gift to receive as a teacher would be a card or letter of thanks, with maybe a comment or picture from the child.
Yes, Bern, I said lots but I hope this has given some insight from behind the teacher's desk!!
I'm just new to all this gifting to teachers as a parent. We've done a couple of years for swim teachers and kinder but this year is first for school. Little persons teacher understood him perfectly and was a beautiful person. I think she liked him just as much as he received a junior school award that is only given to 4 in each class apparently revered, again still learning. Anywho we got her a lightweight scarf and a turquoise stone butterfly pendant and I gave chocs from me. I'm sure once second and third enter school I'll b downgrading the gifts. But this teacher deserved it!
I think Bodka was a great idea. I have given teachers champers before. (But only after checking if they drink. Not surprisingly, they all seem to!) And I've given them movie vouchers, next time maybe a massage voucher would be appreciated. Sometimes a few of us club together to do a small day spa package (massage and facial or similar).
I figure they already get loads of chocolate and smelly bath staff.
Well I tend to dance about in my underwear singing "Come to bed" songs - but as she is my wife - and she always says "no" I'm not sure that counts.
chocolate / biscuits (absolutely NOT homemade unless you have a hygiene certificate) or wine = happy teacher
Dear Bern,
A fantastic post - loved it! I have survived my first semester of teaching and while I would love to blog about it - I just don't have time! :) I am genuinely touched by the number of presents I have received from the children in both of my classes I have taught (and their parents!) but no Bodka or alkyhole yet... (Is it called alkyHOLE as you invariably end up in a hole when u drink it??)
Teachers I have met definitely don't teach for the money - it is for the love of the children and the 'lightbulb' moments that teaching
produces - they are priceless!
Love your work!
Wx
Oh phew. Olivia told me I was a terrible mother for doing wine. We did wine for both primary teachers along with a beanie kid (Miss Jones the Teacher Bear). And a card filled with ohmygodIdontknowhowyoudoitbutthankyousomuch sentiments from me.
We had a similar problem with the multiple-teacher scenario at Alex's preschool - there are 3 main teachers, 2 relief and an office lady. To get them each a bar of soap seemed silly, to get one or two a gift and overlook the rest seemed unfair... what to do? Another mum came up with the genius idea of booking the six of them in to a fancy high tea place the weekend before school goes back, so they can reunite under pleasant circumstances before the back-to-preschool madness sets it. At $30 a head, with 5 of us chipping in, we got away with it for $35 each (try splitting that into 6 separate presents). So we're well chuffed with ourselves. They can re-book the date if they can't make it then. I just hope they all like each other as much as they make out and don't mind gathering for a social occasion together, otherwise the joke's on them! ;-)
As I've always tweeted, I've generally done alcohol and if they're female ... some special beauty products from my stash. Sometimes I've done this at the end of the first term (especially when my daughter was in her most trying years) as a little something to help them survive the next three.
When my eldest hit high school the gift giving seemed to stop but my step mum teachers at a posh Brisbane high school and she gets REALLY good gifts. She's a French teacher and I think she's subliminly taught them the value of French champagne because come end of year, there's an awful lot of Moet, Bolly and Cartier to throw around.
My dad is a teacher librarian at a not-so-posh school. Not even a cask of wine comes his way.
Wow, aside from giving them the gift of cold hard cash, I think vodka is about the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given their teacher. Sure beats a set of blue floral terry-towelling tea towels*.
* Quietly revealed by Max's teacher (who is young and bikini hot) to be the worst present ever.
Miss 4's preschool teacher is getting some tree ornaments and a $25 gift voucher to the ABC Shop. Miss 8's school teacher is getting tree ornaments, it may have been more if ALl of Miss 8's school books hadn't been sent home 2 weeks before the end of term!
Then there are all the random gifts - playgroup leaders, swimming teachers, netball coaches, etc... It is never-ending.
LOL. I have my own thoughts on this, as you know. But Bodka is right up there with best present ever. Who buys teatowels for the teacher???
Our kindegarten-er Loves his teacher a little bit more than me some days, I'm sure Mr B would appreciate some Bodka. Any one who has my little one for that long needs as much bodka as they can get.
The teacher gift thing has been causing me some angst recently, too.
As the daughter of two former teachers, the sister of a teacher, grand-daughter and niece of many, many teachers (no, I did not follow in their footsteps - I have minimal patience), I have witnessed years and years of 'interesting' and thoughtful teacher gifts.
My mother still adorns her Christmas tree with decorations from former students, and I think she still has some random, handcrafted goodies with names etched into them, too.
I think anything that comes from the heart is appreciated by most teachers.
sorry - taken me this long to get back.
i went and watched the christmas concert today - that i helped prepare for! and my gawd. i was lost for words. i was just so proud of all those little ones.
anywho.
thanks for your soap box moment. xx
and i would love to teach jack. i honestly dont think there would ever be a dull moment. probably why i love the boyfriend. never a dull moment there. you have a very funny little one on your hands.
great post as always.
Dear Bern,
I got some alkyhole! Admittedly it was from fellow teachers - not parents but beggars can't be choosers!
Bring on the holidays!
Wx
Last year we gave Girl child's teacher alkyhole but wine not Bodka. Obviously, I choose last year.
Apparently this year she would like to give her two teachers flowers and a card.
I think good teachers are definetely worther their weight in gold (or Bodka). LOL
while i totally agree on the whole hard job and no money bit, it has honestly NEVER occurred to me that parents would give teachers a present.
is that a general Aussie thing ?! i had no idea!
i take it 2 days in kindy, even with Tornado, do not require me to come up with something now.
although, i see daily in the fridge that my son's teachers roll on RedBull... So some vodka would probably be quite suitable..
I've been teaching for 17 years now, and over the years have received some er, um, interesting gifts as well as some lovely ones. What I really love is the sincere thank yous in cards and in person.
I do my job for the love of it. Yes I get a good amount of holidays but I always say it is a trade off for the unpaid over time. We are not paid for any out of hours work, any of the weekend report writing, after school hours events etc.
I have been given my fair share of wine and champagne... but never Bodka.
While I would perhaps prefer alkyhole my hubby and children love the almost unending supply of chocolates that enter our house through out December.
Oh Maybe it's an Aussie thing? It's been around as long as I've been at school and Brent Thompsons parents gave the teacher a ceramic browneye. Oh yes. I don't quite get it either
I think I (and every other teacher) just fell a little bit more in love with you!!
Honestly I used to feel a little awkward getting presents because I was doing my job and being paid for it, getting presents wasn't at all necessary, but it was very much appreciated.
Oh and I loved the tall skinny gift bags! ;)
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