Presents

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Home : 2007 : December : 27

Presents
By aw

As I read all of your posts about hundreds of dollars in gifts from your classrooms I have to admit my first reaction was jealously. However, after thinking about the gifts I recieved this year I wouldn't trade any of them.

I am a Head Start teacher, and I never expect any gifts from parents. In fact when I taught in a public school I requested that parents just buy a book for the classroom if they wish to buy me a gift for christmas. Anyways I don't have a story about hundreds of dollars in gift cards, but I jsut want to share the gifts I did recieve.

A family picture and signed by

my preschool student (amazing that he could write his name by himself in December)

A handwritten card written and spelled by one of my preschoolers (also amazing progress)

A vase hand painted

A child's favorite stuffed animal from home he wanted me to have, because my dog tore my favorite one up

A lot of hand written construction paper 'gifts' made at the art center in my room

I also recieved some gifts bought by parents for me

Each of these were very special, and to realize that these parents wanted to give me something although they had just enough money to survive was truly heartwarming.

The thing that broke my heart was a little boy during my circle time on the day before winter break.

I was opening a present another student bought me, and he said, "I Love you, and I want to get you a present." I replied, "You give me the best present when you are here at school." He then said, "No, I want to give you one of those presents, but my mom won't let me." This comment broke my heart. I knew his home situation, and knew that his mom can't even afford food let alone a present for me.

This really opened my eyes to the importance of presents for the teacher. I was just about ready to tell parents that I didn't want any presents, when I realized how much giving me a gift really meant to my students. I will never refuse a present, because I have seen how much it means to the kids in my class. I will also make sure that I have something for the students to give the teachers in the classroom so each student can give us a present (a token of their love for us as their teachers).