Gift Ideas for a TA: Teacher or TA on the Label

[twingate843]

As a TA I have been given many gifts that say teacher. I do feel a wee bit of a fraud with a keyring saying Best Teacher as I'm most definitely not a teacher in the professional sense, however I do feel that I have taught so many things to the small people in my care, that are not on the curriculum. Again I don't believe any of us do the job with an expectation of gifts. The gift is seeing the young people thrive and grow. X

 

[godsgentlesheep]

We teach! We assist with the teaching! But like others have said we don’t expect anything but if you did hand written cards are lovely

 

[amerikanka]

Messaged re teachers gifts

 

[conservative_christian]

@amerikanka Thank you!

 

[soyordoy]

In the school I work in, the TAs run intervention groups and step in to cover classes at short notice as well as a thousand other plate spinning, ball juggling achievements - the TAs I know are unsung Super Heroes and probably do more for the children than you realise.
For TAs - being acknowledged and appreciated is important. A hand written note saying how much you appreciate what they do is worth so much ... an incredible TA that I know showed me a beautiful complimentary thank you note she received some years ago and it's still very important to her to this day.

 

[callmestormy]

@soyordoy this! It’s lovely when we are acknowledged for all that we do.

 

[renochristian]

@soyordoy I did a volunteer TA work placement in 2018 while I did my level 2 supporting teaching and learning, I still have my cards the children in the y1 classes made me..I helped in both so doubly special.
I've been helping in a y5 class since May, helping in reception too by mostly listening to children read and writing in their reading journals..
In y5 I've took over a few times and I've done lots of busy work but it's whatever the teacher needs I'll crack on and do.
Hoping I might get a nice card from them..but how many 9 and 10 year olds are likely to want to do a card for someone who isn't actually their normal TA?
I have loved being in their class though and I've got both teachers (Y5 and reception) a present.
I'd love to get something that said TA on it but its because I've helped as one all these years but never been a paid one..so it would just feel like I'd made it..when I had a drawer in class with my name on just before lockdown I got all emotional because it felt like I'd done it.
It will happen I'm sure of it.
But I love doing it..

 

[soyordoy]

@renochristian I'm a TA but not a Class TA, so I flit between classes throughout the school, I know a lot of what I do is unseen and I know I won't get acknowledged the same as the class TA, but I know the impact I've had when I see the children's faces. Try not to be disheartened if your efforts are not acknowledged, know in your heart what you have done has been valuable

 

[renochristian]

@soyordoy oh I know that.
It's disheartening when they'll let you do it for free but you don't pass a job interview.. for the job you're already doing so they know you can do it and are good at it.
I flit too.
The other y5 class is the one my son is in so I wouldn't have volunteered for that one..they seem to have plenty anyway.
Reception will never say no to extra ears eyes and hands
My friend who is a y1 teacher has already told me she'd love to have me in hers next year (she's moving into reception..her son will be back with mine in y6)
So I'm gonna ask his school to take me on as a volunteer TA as opposed to a parent helper and then I can do my level 3.
Can but try

 

[soyordoy]

@renochristian Keep up the good work

 

[jesuswantstosaveyou2014]

It wouldn’t bother me. I used to get teacher gifts and appreciated it all the same. Now I work in secondary so am lucky to get a ‘thanks miss!’

 

[jenndiver09]

In my school, TAs are called ATs (Associate Teachers) as they run interventions, deliver PPA cover and are generally bloody amazing!
My AT would definitely be chuffed with a teacher gift

 

[pepsimaximus]

https://www.etsy.com/.../teaching-assistant-gift-teaching

 

[pondero]

Being a TA myself in EYFS I would like to say that any gift is very much appreciated. I love my job and get so much joy out of seeing the littlies progress. Times are hard so please don't feel pressured some of my favourite gifts have been homemade cards with kind words of thanks.

 

[ilovejesusandbeads]

U can buy gifts with ta written on, I've had some lovely ones over teh last couple of years with amazing ta written on. But It wouldn't bother me if it said amazing teacher. X

 

[mlee29]

The TA in my classroom is my teaching assistant, she teaches. She takes small groups and delivers support or a challenge, she takes interventions… she teaches along side me. Teacher gifts would not be inappropriate xx

 

[renochristian]

I think owing to the fact ta is teaching assistant and we support teaching and learning I think it's lovely to have stuff like that.. TA's do teach too.. by emulating what the teachers do or using their lesson plan TAs definitely also teach.
My son's class there are two and we got them the plaques that say TA stands for totally awesome.
TAs step in and take over the classes, in emergencies or PPA situations.
They carry on where a teacher left off.
There may be some that work with smaller groups who struggle with learning so they need to explain in a different way..all of that is teaching..so I think it's a beautiful thing.

 

[pepsimaximus]

I've sent you a message regarding TA gifts

 

[aprilpm]

The kids see no difference between the teachers and TA in my school we are all here to help so the teacher gift would be lovely and very thoughtful xx

 

[plebquarreimu1984]

TAs are generally very underappreciated. They are teachers, whether they hold the same level of qualification or not. Many have more experience and often teach classes in the absence of the teacher. In my daughters year a TA was the primary teacher for another class for most of Yr 2. It shouldn't be that way but she was. We always buy something for the TA too.