We found a plastic bowl of dum-dum lollipops on a table in the faculty lounge one day that week.

Dum-dums.

Oh, yeah.
graycie | Homepage | 05.25.07 - 6:56 pm | #

We got McDonald's breakfast biscuits one morning then donuts, cheese, and fruit another. We also got a pen and "I make a difference" memo pads.

I thought that letter was a joke.
Laura | Homepage | 05.26.07 - 12:11 am | #

I hope the music on the CD wasn't copyrighted
Darren | Homepage | 05.27.07 - 12:36 pm | #

To answer your question, absolutely.

It's too bad that the rules of NCLB don't that that into account.
Ms. Whatsit | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 8:06 am | #

This letter rings true - at my school the parents do so much for us during teacher appreciation week - lunch every day with little gifts too - free coffee at a particular Starbucks this year too. And our test scores are high and parents are very involved.

Polski, I'm going to a new job next year teacher 6th, 7th and 8th grade history. I was wondering if you have found any particularly useful resources, aka websites for helping make history come to life for the average middle schooler. Feel free to email me.

SoCal Simon
SoCal Simon | 05.31.07 - 1:13 am | #

SoCal Simon.....I need your e-mail or some way to contact you....
Polski3 | Homepage | 06.02.07 - 12:53 am | #

Sorry about that. My email is jsimonbass (at) yahoo.com.

SoCal Simon
SoCal Simon | 06.03.07 - 11:31 am | #

My school does a nice job of appreciating teachers. My district (elementary) has a reputation for being picky in hiring. But, I did my student teaching at the school with the highest (through the roof) test scores in my district. Teacher appreciation is much like you describe--much more than at my own school. Parent involvement is huge at that school. Parent education is higher, expectations of teachers are much higher, but most importantly parental expectations of students and appreciation for staff are as high as the test scores.

I think parental expectation and appreciation are keys to success--not necessarily a dollar amount spent on gifts for teachers. It just happens that parents who have the expectations/appreciation formula right also have money.

Hmmmm... so maybe expectations/appreciation might have something to do with success in adult life, too?? Hmmm...
mcswain | Homepage | 06.03.07 - 11:47 am | #

Lucky! (Insert quote from the Rocky Horror Picture Show here.)

We got stuff thrown at us by administrators.
Ms. Cornelius | Homepage | 06.04.07 - 10:56 am | #

We don't even have a teachers lounge--just a little room outside the bathroom and it is not co-ed.

Parents give us a nice lunch once a yar, though.
pissedoffteacher | Homepage | 06.06.07 - 4:05 pm | #