Teachers - advice needed for gift for new master's degree grad!

[Gracie]

A young woman who used to work for me left awhile back to pursue a masters in teaching.

She was the best employee I've ever had in all my hundred years' career and we've kept in touch occasionally since she left. She came back and worked parttime this summer when she had a break.

She is graduating with her masters summa cum laude in a couple of weeks and hopes to teach 3rd or 4th grade. She is in her mid-20's, is living with a long-term boyfriend but not yet formally engaged.

I'd like to get her something as a graduation gift but I just have no idea what. It needs to be useful as I hate spending money on dust collectors.

Any ideas for a graduation gift? I really don't want to send a gift certificate for a restaurant or the Am Ex one.

Loren

[Robyn1007]

I know you said no gc for a restaurant or AmEx but what about a gift certificate to a teacher's supply place. I know teachers spend a lot of their own money setting up their classroom and it may be a lot of fun for her.

[daisylover]

A gift certificate to a teacher supply store would be my suggestion, too. Since she's an elementary school teacher, if you can't find a teacher supply store, you may get her a gift card to a book store so she can start her classroom library.

[Gracie]

That's a nice idea and I will keep that in mind - I do know how much teachers spend out of their own pockets and I hadn't thought of it.

I was sort of thinking though of something that she could use and think of me when she used it. That's where it's hard to come up with something that's not a dust collector!

Loren

[tbb113]

Loren - I would get her a great tote bag so she can take her homework back and forth from the classroom to her house.

[tamawrite]

Hi Gracie,

I'm glad you're considering something that isn't "teacher-ish." I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but when I graduated with my teaching degree, I got a lot of that stuff and most of it wasn't what I'd have picked out. I would rather have received gifts that were for me, in honor of my accomplishment, not for my classroom. Also, anyone going into teaching can look forward to years and years of "teacher gifts" from students and parents. :)

That said, I don't have any brilliant ideas for you, but I'll ruminate and get back to you! :o

[Varaile]

I'll toss this one out there as I've been in a similar gift-giving situation: How about a gift certificate to a spa? Perhaps a massage and a pedicure?

[krhm]

I'm probably not going to explain this correctly, but I was thinking about some type of really nice leather binder that she could always use as gradebook organizer, calendar organizer, whatever. I was going to suggest you have her initials on it, but if she might be getting married soon, maybe that wouldn't work.

[kim21]

I'll second the idea for a great totebag. She can use this for teaching, as well as for personal jaunts, too. Lands End has a beautiful, leather trimmed tote, that is perfect for teachers.

Another idea is a really fine pen. You can "test drive" a few at any office supply store and see what feels nice in your hand.

You are very thoughtful in this quest, and I am sure she'll enjoy whatever you choose. My best, Kim

[Peweh]

I'll second the idea for a great totebag. She can use this for teaching, as well as for personal jaunts, too. Lands End has a beautiful, leather trimmed tote, that is perfect for teachers.



I'll third the idea for a great totebag!! Of course, I'm thinking Vera Bradley, because I always give what I secretly want... :D but they do have some great totes.

[acginkc]

How about some personalized stationary. Whether it just have her 1st initial on it or something like that. You could get note cards, note pads, other papers and some nice pens. I know some of my teacher friends will send notes home to parents on occasion that are personalized to their student and she might want some nice ones.

I also like the nice tote bag option.

[kabs]

I'll toss this one out there as I've been in a similar gift-giving situation: How about a gift certificate to a spa? Perhaps a massage and a pedicure?


I second this idea! I'm a teacher and just finished completed my Master's degree, and DH got me a massage as a gift. It is the best gift! I really needed a treat for myself after all the classes, assignments, and taking comps!

I think its very nice of you to get your friend any gift to recognize her accomplishment, but I tend to get lots of "teacher-y" gifts from my students, so it was nice to get something for just me! :)

Kim

[daisylover]

I actually just remembered a gift that the PTSA gave to me several years ago that I absolutely love. I thought of it after reading what you said about wanting her to think of you when she uses the gift. I always fondly remember the parents that I knew at that school whenever I use their gift.

I can't think of the correct word for the gadget, but I've seen them at professional stationary stores. It's a paper engraver that raises the paper so you can read the message. When I insert paper into it, the paper has "From the desk of Ms. Johnson" in a circular pattern around the design. It works like a single hole puncher, where you hold it in your hand, insert the paper so the design is where you want it, and then press. I like it because I can use it on any stationary or to personalize books that I keep in my classroom. Somehow, it seems classier than a stamp, and I like it because it's a little unique.

[badunnin]

I actually just remembered a gift that the PTSA gave to me several years ago that I absolutely love. I thought of it after reading what you said about wanting her to think of you when she uses the gift. I always fondly remember the parents that I knew at that school whenever I use their gift.

I can't think of the correct word for the gadget, but I've seen them at professional stationary stores. It's a paper engraver that raises the paper so you can read the message. When I insert paper into it, the paper has "From the desk of Ms. Johnson" in a circular pattern around the design. It works like a single hole puncher, where you hold it in your hand, insert the paper so the design is where you want it, and then press. I like it because I can use it on any stationary or to personalize books that I keep in my classroom. Somehow, it seems classier than a stamp, and I like it because it's a little unique.

It's an embosser!

Whatever you do, don't give her the gift we got from our union last year for teacher appreciation week - lint brushes. Nothing says "We appreciate you and think you do a bang-up job" like a lint brush. :blech:

[MKSquared]

I LOVE the idea of the embosser, but since she's not yet married and living with a long-term boyfriend, perhaps there IS marriage on the horizon for her -- and along with that, a name change? It's not a given, but it is a possibility.

The ideas you've received so far are good -- I love the tote bag, the embosser, and the gift certificate ideas. You could also get her one book for her classroom library (ask for suggestions!) and include a GC or the bag ....

[MKSquared]

The thing I wanted most when I graduated with my Masters of Education was a job ... :( :( Got a spare one of those around? ;)

[Gracie]

The thing I wanted most when I graduated with my Masters of Education was a job ... :( :( Got a spare one of those around? ;)

Actually I really want her back but unfortunately this is not a school! :) I'd give her a job in a heartbeat. I miss her terribly even though I have a perfectly wonderful staff.

I think I'm leaning towards a tote bag. I really like the idea of personalized stationery or the embosser but with her serious boyfriend, I just can't do that.

Loren

[tperes]

My advisor gave me a beautiful leather notebook organzier thing-y (sorry on the description!) that has a built-in calculator, business card holder, a few pockets on the left side and holds a legal pad on the right side. It does make me think of her every time I use it.

I like the idea of the tote bag and the embosser, but hesitate on the latter b/c of the potential future change in initials.