Karina Bland
The Arizona Republic
May. 13 2008 8:46 am
This is the time of year that parents start thinking about how to show appreciation to the teacher who has guided your son or daughter all year. Trust me, teachers have plenty of lotion, candles and mugs. Here are ideas sure to be appreciated:
• Netflix subscription, so he or she can catch up on all the movies missed during the year. Go to netflix.com.
• Gift certificate for a spa treatment, like a massage or pedicure, or to Lakeshore Learning Center or Teaching Stuff. Also, consider a restaurant, being careful that you don't give the vegetarian teacher a gift certificate to Outback Steak House.
• Summer essentials like a beach towel, car sun visor, flip-flops.
• Gas card.
• Books like Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire, by Rafe Esquith, or The New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons. Or give a gift certificate to a nearby bookstore. You could also donate a book to the school's library in the teacher's name.
• An annual membership to the Phoenix Zoo, Arizona Science Center or Arizona Museum of Natural History.
• Movie tickets.
• Caffeine. Give a gift certificate to a coffee shop or a basket filled with a variety of coffees. Hold the mug. Teachers have plenty.
• I scream, you scream, even teachers scream for ice cream, especially in the summer. Think Baskin-Robbins, Dairy Queen or Cold Stone Creamery.
• A letter or card of gratitude. Trinkets are nice, but nothing touches a teacher like a heartfelt thank-you. Better yet, make a copy and give one to the principal.
