I usually give coffee or bookstore gift cards but last year found a cute craft online so the kids could also give something. Bought wooden rulers (18" ones because the kids were in grade 1 and couldn’t write small) the kids then wrote “Mrs L Rules” and decorated with gems, pearl beads, buttons etc. They were really cute and it made the kids feel good to be included in the gift giving.
Ingrid,
I love the idea of letting administrators know.
One year one of our teachers sent a letter home to parents requesting no personal gifts with a list of things that the students could use in the classroom - glitter, glue, paper. I live in a rural area and many of the parents are very poor and basic supplies are at premium. The parents loved!!! it!!!
I also have several friends who are counselors. When they receive anything that can be used for children, it’s like Christmas. Once someone gave our counselor boxes of crayons and soap. Joy oh joy.
Last year, DS had a wonderful teacher for 2nd grade. She was very tough, and handed out tons of homework, but I didn’t have a problem with that. She seemed to understand DS very well, and was really good about things in general. Unfortunately, I seemed to be the only parent who liked her. All I ever heard were bad comments about her- she had the worst reputation!! At the end of the school year, I sent the principal a letter, telling her that I was well aware of the general opinion of this teacher, and especially because of that, I wanted to tell the principal what a wonderful year this teacher had given my son. I wanted to make sure that SOMEBODY spoke up and said something positive about her, since that is what I saw throughout the school year.