As the summer holidays approach, school teachers often receive gifts from many parents of students.
Just like other education personnel.
A way to show them a form of recognition for the work provided and to support them, while their working conditions are often difficult.
The readers of
20 Minutes
testify to their approach.
Budget, choice of gift… They reveal the underside of these little presents that are so pleasing.
Of course, there are parents who criticize teachers.
But also many others who recognize their great work.
Especially at the end of the school year, through a gift.
The families would like to thank the Education staff for their professional investment, the way in which they helped the child progress...
In some families, it has even become a ritual.
“I systematically make a gift to the mistress or master of my children.
I think it's proof of recognition because the teachers have little of it, ”explains Béatrice, who responded to our call for witnesses.
Sonia never dithers either: “I've been giving something to the teacher of my 3 boys since kindergarten.
It's my way of showing them my gratitude for their work, which is increasingly difficult”.
According to Lila, this present is very symbolic: “It's a way of thanking them for taking care of our children, supporting them on a daily basis in their development, and above all saluting their courage.
Because given the current teaching conditions, it must not be easy every day to manage 30 children between 3 and 6 years old in kindergarten!
" Armelle also measures the difficulties of the profession: " The teachers have been involved throughout the year to teach our children, in classes that are often far too full.
»
“I will also offer a small gift to each of the Atsem in the school”
Rare are the parents who are really opposed to the principle of this class exit present, as is Charline: “This practice is a form of social pressure and “corruption”.
Some parents offer gifts worth several tens of euros, a substantial sum that other parents cannot afford to spend.
This automatically creates differences.
" Others are rather favorable to the process, but under conditions, like Pamela: " I make a gift if the mistress was listening, involved.
Ditto for Mélanie: “I only give gifts to my children's teachers if I felt kindness on their part.
In short, all years except one.
»
Often, parents who want to spoil teachers do not stop there and do not forget the other adults who work with children.
"I systematically offer a gift to accompanying school staff (AESH - accompanying students with disabilities - supervisors, cantiniers, etc.) to show them my gratitude", testifies Carole.
"I do not forget the director, nor the caretaker of the school, who also do a remarkable job", says Sonia for her part.
“I am going to offer a small gift to each of the Atsem (Specialized Territorial Agent for Nursery Schools) at my son's school, who will have a small personalized keychain.
They are essential to the development of children in kindergarten and they even spend more time on a daily basis than the teacher with the children.
To each his own gift budget
And generosity is key.
“Our budget is around 20 to 30 euros,” explains Béatrice.
“My son's CP mistress is really great.
Suddenly, this year I will increase the budget and offer him a voucher for 20 euros in a bookstore, ”says Adelaide.
Alexia, she even goes so far as to devote 50 euros to the institute and to Atsem.
And in recent years, online jackpots have multiplied, which sometimes allows parents to give only 5 or 10 euros.
But as many of them participate, the amount climbs quickly.
It remains to know what type of gift to offer.
And there, the parents are overflowing with ideas.
"I offer personalized cups, chocolate miniatures and a small moisturizing hand cream to relieve damaged hands with hydroalcoholic gel", quotes Laetitia.
Sonia prefers “organic boxes of body products.
» Sonia varies the pleasures: « small candles, gift voucher for a salon treatment, box of chocolates, stole or even small DIY gifts!
".
“How nice to have thanks in verbal form or through an object!
»
Mélanie also likes to mark her mark: “It is often tote bags, kits, photo frames that are decorated by my children.
One year I gave away a picture frame with smarties inside and a post-it saying "in case of inspection, break the glass!"
The teacher laughed a lot.
Laura also relies on her creativity: “I took the initiative to create a personalized photo book containing a photo of each student, accompanied by a note that the parents/children wanted to leave for the teacher and Atsem.
It requires a little personal investment, but I think it left them with a nice memory of the past year.
»
And whatever the present, it affects teachers and other staff.
As Margaux testifies: “There are key rings, chocolates, potted flowers, seeds, eternal roses, mint from the garden in a personalized pot, plastic jewelery created by children, supplies school supplies, soaps, a bag with pareo and exfoliation, "thank you mistress" frames and drawings.
I don't consider it obligatory, but what a pleasure to have thanks in verbal form or through an object!
»
And even when a school teacher works in a disadvantaged neighborhood, he receives very touching little attentions, as another teacher testifies: "These are poems beautifully written and worked on by children who did not speak French a few months before, objects made by them, sometimes even personal objects which they took in their room.
Once, I even received an eggplant!
»
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