bookmistres4ever
12-28-04, 03:07 AM
Teachers' Christmas Gifts Can Be Strange
Fri Dec 24, 9:33 PM ET Strange News - AP
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Middle school teacher ReBecca Kutcher remembers the sixth-grader who gave her a necklace for Christmas with what she thought was a cubic zirconia.
At a conference with the parents the next month, Kutcher noticed the student's mother kept staring at the necklace. When the Laing Middle School teacher thanked the parents for the gift, she found out the mother had been looking for her one-carat diamond necklace for a month.
'Tis the season to shower teachers with gifts. And most educators say, whether it is a Christmas ornament, homemade cookies or even a half-eaten box of candy, each gift has a special meaning — even the offbeat ones.
Marrington Elementary School first-grade teacher Jane Schuler got hair curlers one year and a pair of men's socks, size 10-13, another Christmas. "My feet are not that big," she said.
But some of the gifts can be amazingly thoughtful, said Jodi Bateman, who still hangs on her Christmas tree a globe ornament she received as a seventh-grade teacher almost a decade ago.
Some teachers make sure their students know every gift is appreciated, even if it isn't the most stylish item.
Marrington Elementary School media specialist Karen Cookson said her 93-year-old aunt used to receive a number of pins or necklaces and matching earrings.
"Most of them were inexpensive, not very tasteful and had been selected by the student, but my aunt faithfully wore each and every one of them, if only once," Cookson said. "Her students were so proud when she came to school wearing their gift."
But sometimes hinting at a gift can backfire. Cario Middle School teacher Rebecca Strong told her seventh-graders during her first year of teaching that she loved peanut butter. She was expecting peanut butter cookies or candy.
"The following week, I was very excited to see that so many of my students had thought about me during the holiday season," she said. "I received six jars of peanut butter."
___
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net
Fri Dec 24, 9:33 PM ET Strange News - AP
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Middle school teacher ReBecca Kutcher remembers the sixth-grader who gave her a necklace for Christmas with what she thought was a cubic zirconia.
At a conference with the parents the next month, Kutcher noticed the student's mother kept staring at the necklace. When the Laing Middle School teacher thanked the parents for the gift, she found out the mother had been looking for her one-carat diamond necklace for a month.
'Tis the season to shower teachers with gifts. And most educators say, whether it is a Christmas ornament, homemade cookies or even a half-eaten box of candy, each gift has a special meaning — even the offbeat ones.
Marrington Elementary School first-grade teacher Jane Schuler got hair curlers one year and a pair of men's socks, size 10-13, another Christmas. "My feet are not that big," she said.
But some of the gifts can be amazingly thoughtful, said Jodi Bateman, who still hangs on her Christmas tree a globe ornament she received as a seventh-grade teacher almost a decade ago.
Some teachers make sure their students know every gift is appreciated, even if it isn't the most stylish item.
Marrington Elementary School media specialist Karen Cookson said her 93-year-old aunt used to receive a number of pins or necklaces and matching earrings.
"Most of them were inexpensive, not very tasteful and had been selected by the student, but my aunt faithfully wore each and every one of them, if only once," Cookson said. "Her students were so proud when she came to school wearing their gift."
But sometimes hinting at a gift can backfire. Cario Middle School teacher Rebecca Strong told her seventh-graders during her first year of teaching that she loved peanut butter. She was expecting peanut butter cookies or candy.
"The following week, I was very excited to see that so many of my students had thought about me during the holiday season," she said. "I received six jars of peanut butter."
___
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net