Wanting to suprise other teachers

[jsfowler]

Two weeks before testing, we have survivor weeks. In short, it is an intensive review where we teach all day with no planning and no specials. For example, for 2 days I teach photosynthesis and respiration...every kid in 7th grade will be in my class at some point during those two days. Everyone will teach 5 topics over the course of the 2 weeks. It is tough on everyone and we barely "survive", but the kids love it because it is all hands-on, fun learning every day, all day for 2 weeks.

I want to do something special for the teachers, so give me some ideas, please. I would like it to be secret...I don't need them to know it is from me.

[MsCoffeeLover]

Little special gift bags that you can put in their boxes.

One time I got these cards that said, "Everyday Heroes," and it had pictures of all these occupations that are the true "Everyday Heroes" On each card, I found all kinds of inspirational quotes about teaching/teachers and wrote a quote for each person. Then I attached a little bag of candy to each one, but didn't tell anyone where it was from.

Cards are always nice as well. No one has to sign them, but it is fun to see that they arrive.

One teacher at our school is very crafty, and for every holiday we will come in, open our boxes and find a new holiday something made out of candy. One day it was a Christmas tree made from miniature receese (sp) peanut butter cups glued on top of each other with some other kind of candy as a base and and like a red hot or something for the star. Another one was trains made from packs of lifesavers with different kinds of candies for the wheels and whatever else is on trains. She made reindeer out of a few things too.

I underestimated hot glue and pipe cleaners.

Another time I made posters for the cafeteria and custodial staff and had all my kids sign them, draw, and write something positive. You don't have to sign it, but it is nice to be thought of.

[MsCoffeeLover]

Ideas are really needed here!

[sgaestel]

I would appreciate something from the students. Like if you got cards for the students to sign, or like MsCoffeeLover said, posters of some sort.
When we did our testing cram last year, I just got the other English teachers a little stuffed doll that said something about strength.
Hallmark may have something you are looking for, but it is expensive!

[wtrafton]

One of my basketball players gave me a mug with a cake mix to make in the microwave. It's kind of hard to explain what it was but all I had to do was add liquid ingredients and put it in the microwave (in the mug). It also had a mix for a glaze to go on it. I saved it for a snow day and it was really good. I still have the mug and I think of her every time I use it.

I gave out some dry mixes for chocolate popcorn this year for Christmas. I always enjoy getting those kind of new things to try. I actually have a couple of recipe books just for dry ingredient mixes.

Just a couple of ideas

[dangercat]

A gift I got from a teacher I helped out was a movie night gift...it had a bag of microwave popcorn and two movie sized candies. There was a note that was desigend like a movie pass that told me to treat myself to just a night of relaxing and thank you for a job well done.

[MsCoffeeLover]

You know what else is fun? Leaving little goodies in the oddest places. The person you gave it to just sees a goodie and wonders where it came from, but they can't help smiling at the same time.

You could do a lot with those peeps this time of the year. Does anyone actually eat the peeps on their Easter egg basket? My sister and I like to surprise one another with those peeps. One time I went to my car, and there was a marshmallow peep in my mirror! That was the best.

It's kind of fun to do it with things like PEZ dispensers because there is always a good PEZ story. Sometimes I run across candy that used to be sold when I was younger, and buy some for folks. Things like candy necklaces, that super huge lollipop ring, cracker jacks with a real prize in them, mary janes, squirrel nut zippers, pop rocks, etc. Anything that may take a few people back to a childhood moment is always a nice surprise. The conversations are funny too.

I am sure one of the teachers would just love one of those hula girls that rest on top of the dashboard and move only when you are driving. :D

Oddities rock!

[wtrafton]

My daughter and I came up with a poem a few years ago to go with different candies to give to her teammates on the way to a playoff game. We based it on one from the PTO for the teachers. I can't find the PTO one but here is ours.
Each of you is a treasure
That is way beyond measure
It's time to pop and rock
Our way to the top
We've had our snickers at the right time and place
Now is the time to put on our game face
So let's save the kisses
Until we have realized our wishes
Then the joy will be our to treasure.

We used Nestle treasures, pop rocks, snickers, and kisses.
The PTO one involved pay days and life savers and stuff like that. Just another idea for you.:)

[eaglesaint02]

Cards and candy are always little things that are appreciated!!

[hot_teacher]

I always appreciate anything I get, it's just nice to be recognized. How about a scented candle with a pretty bow and a small card attached? Personally I'd love anything from the students. Could you have the students work on a project for the teachers?

[SiobhanMarie]

You know what else is fun? Leaving little goodies in the oddest places. The person you gave it to just sees a goodie and wonders where it came from, but they can't help smiling at the same time.
Oddities rock!

I love this suggestion; I try to leave little surprises for the people I work with around. One time, I put copies of Desiderata in everyone's pidgeon holes :)

I have also left small inspiring notes on desks, as well as chocolate [which is an important one!] and written annonymous notes commenting on a new hair cut or something a teacher is wearing.

I hope this helps!

[ian23]

a greeting card will be nice..Ü with chocolates...

[jdavis5]

The chocolate idea works great, even for ultra-macho guys. Last year, one teacher left little tidbits like bagged M&Ms in people's boxes after a job well done, and everyone was happy with their surprise...

[teacher5]

Thankfully, I had a lot of support staff to thank after state testing. I also used this idea again in December. I found out through the AAA (Auto Club) you could purchase a packet of 10 movie tix for $62. ($6.20/tix) I gave two tix to each of my assistants with a little note about enjoying a night out with their spouse or significant other. The thank you reaction I got was remarkable.:clap:

[Boxcar]

Tickets are a great idea!

[hweber]

why the sad face boxcar?

[Boxcar]

It is part of the Finish the Sentance Game. Whenever I morph in the game, I also change my avator. As soon as someone makes me happy again, I will switch back.

[silvana]

awwwww Boxy we lubbs you smile =)

[hweber]

glad someone made you smile!

[SiobhanMarie]

I love that avatar, Boxcar! :)

Great suggestions too!

[Boxcar]

Thanks... Now I'm a sun because of the lady with the scarves...

[hweber]

Chocolates are always a good reward. Although, in this age of political correctness, health concerns, etc, should we find another method?

[dtrim]

I really like Compendium Cards little thank you notes. They're small and contain a quote inside.

It's not a spectacular chocolate thank you, but I like to keep them on hand because they're an every day kind of thoughtfulness.

[Boxcar]

I think the notes are a sweet idea. As for coocolate, I'd go with the thought that counts rather than political correctness. If you know that a collegue has certain beliefs about food, that is a different story.

[dtrim]

Um. My belief about food is that chocolate has mystical healing powers.

[hweber]

Definitely. Although, I think I indulged in too much of the healing this past year and am now trying to work it off in the pool 3-4 days a week.

[carrieSAtoUSA]

I know this thread is kind of old, but here are some ideas that you could use any time that teachers need a pick-me-up. Our principal does the 12 days of Christmas (we didn't know it was her the first time she did it). She puts out various things on a table for teachers to help themselves to : 12 hershey kisses, 11 marshmallows for hot chocolate, 10 minutes to eat a donut, etc. She even threw in, for example, 5 check out early passes, 4 flip flop passes, 6 wear-what-you-want passes for those who want to dress down. This is really fun and inexpensive and definitely picked up us tired teachers!

[hweber]

Very cute idea carrieSAtoUSA, I love the 12 days of Christmas and that is a great tie in.

[Boxcar]

I love that idea too. A great thing to do with co-teachers...

[littlelauren]

This is a great thread! My principal seems to notice things we'd want/need and surprise us with them. For example, we were all clipping our pin-on nametags to a lanyard and wearing them around our necks. Then, one day we found lanyards with the school name in our mailbox. Those small, sweet gestures mean so much. :)

[Boxcar]

Awww... Sounds like you have a really sweet principal.

[hweber]

That was really nice of your principal.

[breathingslow]

Hello there! :waving:
I'm new, just joined yesterday. Thought I would chime in on this thread with something I did for my coworkers for a surprise. This is a Russian Tea Mix and it's really quite good and cheap to make in bulk. This tea is DELICIOUS in colder months....makes a great Christmas gift too (which is what I gave it for).
I went to the Dollar store and found cheap ceramic coffee mugs, then went to Michael's Arts and Crafts (or your local craft store, walmart, etc) and got some plastic goody bags and curly ribbon. I mixed up my tea, poured it in the bags and nestled each bag, which was tied with curly ribbon, into the coffee mugs. To each cup, I added the recipe for the tea mix as well as instructions on how to mix the tea and a little poem about teachers, typed in a neat font and printed out...(get creative with some neat seasonal print paper.) This is the poem I found:

Why God Made Teachers
By Kevin William Huff

When God created teachers,
He gave us special friends
To help us understand His world
And truly comprehend
The beauty and the wonder
Of everything we see,
And become a better person
With each discovery.

When God created teachers,
He gave us special guides
To show us ways in which to grow
So we can all decide
How to live and how to do
What's right instead of wrong,
To lead us so that we can lead
And learn how to be strong.

Why God created teachers,
In His wisdom and His grace,
Was to help us learn to make our world
A better, wiser place.

Here is the recipe and instructions for the Russian Hot Tea Mix:


Ingredients
1 cup instant tea (or 1/2 cup instant tea with a 1 qt pkg lemonade mix)
2 cups Tang orange crystals (or orange flavored instant breakfast shake powder)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon clove
3/4 cup red cinnamon candies or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I like the candies better)

Mix all ingredients together and store in a covered container.
To use, dissolve 2 tsp mix in one cup of hot water. (somtimes I prefer three teaspoons)

[hweber]

That is really a cute idea. We could use it for a welcome back surprise.