Today I’m sharing a regular old teacher outfit and a holiday gift guide for teachers. I didn’t spend a lot of time putting this outfit together. Instead, I had my hubby shoot a few photos between coming home from school and going out again to get groceries. It’s not a perfect outfit in my book (next time, I want a shirt that can tuck in) and my kids told me I looked like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (I was actually impressed they had even seen a movie that old!) but it’s real life and that’s about all I have time for right now!

Cable Knit Sweater | Plaid Top | Similar Gingham Skirt (Love this one!)

Teaching is a hard profession. This time of year can be particularly stressful for teachers because it’s particularly stressful for students. The semester is drawing closer to the end and that means they have less time to turn their work habits around and the holidays often bring out tough emotions for students with difficult home lifes. I have to admit, work is officially kicking my butt.  I’m worn out and stressed out and I know I’m not alone. If I’m not responding to comments or missing some blog posts, it’s because of this. It’s just a busy time for teachers and I’m trying really hard to take my own advice and find balance.

That being said, I have been craving thanks from my students and it has started me thinking about how to say thank you to your teacher at the holidays.  Whereas Elementary School teachers get showered in gifts during the holidays, High School teachers often get forgotten. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you need to give teachers gifts, but I do have some recommendations if your child decides to.

Gift Ideas for High School Teachers

I want to go ahead and say right now, before I share my gift guide for teachers, that the very best gift you can give a teacher is your thanks. I have a folder in my desk full of cards and notes I’ve received from students through the years and periodically, when I’m having a rough day or if I stumble across the stash, I will read through them and remember that there are plenty of students who appreciate the hard work I put in, even when I don’t feel like I’m doing my best.

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Teacher Mugs

One of the best gifts I ever got from a student was this amazing Disappearing Civil Liberties mug. First of all, I love that when I put hot liquid in it, the civil liberties (only) fade away. Second of all, when the student gave it to me she said that she saw it and thought of me and my class. I just about cried right there! It was such a perfect gift because it was personal. A mug might not be the perfect gift for your teacher but I know many teachers who need coffee or tea to get them through the day and who proudly sport a mug one of their students gifted to them for a similar reason. I’ve put a couple fun examples of mugs in the gift guide above and more here.

Character Dolls

In a similar vein, I think a fun bobble-head or doll would be a fun addition to a high school teacher’s classroom. I had a Bobble-Obama in my government class and he added personality to the classroom (and gave us someone to bop when we were frustrated with Washington!). For your English teacher it could be something like this Shakespeare action figure or an Edgar Allen Poe Bobblehead. Your science teacher might get a kick out of Albert Einstein sitting on top of the computer or Nikola Tesla with his glowing bulb! There are so many fun options out there! I picked a few of my favorite Bobbleheads and put them in the widget below.

Classroom Supplies

In a classroom where the teacher has to buy their own supplies, a great useful gift would be any of the following:

• Sticky Notes
• Papermate Ink Joy GEL pens (AMAZING!!! They do not smudge and they come in so many colors!)
• Dry Erase Markers
• Sharpies

Fruit!

Last, but not least, what about a fruit basket? After all the chocolate and cookies that are common around this time of year, I find myself wondering whatever happened to an apple for the teacher. Be the new trend-setter and bring the teacher an apple!

Teachers, what was the best gift you ever got from a student? I’d love to know in the comments below! And, hang in there! Winter break is almost here!

Thanks so much for visiting!

-Virginia

 

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