Student Gifts to Teachers
Accepting Expensive Gifts from Parents or Students Affects Integrity
Every school should have published policies regarding student and/or parent “gifts” to teachers, counselors, and administrators. While no one may question a tin of brownies of even a gift card from Borders or Barnes and Noble, elaborate, expensive gifts can raise eye-brows and signal a potential conflict of interest.
When to Accept Student or Parent Gifts
Most gifts come either at the Christmas holiday or at the end of the school year. Gifts signal appreciation by the giver and in most cases should be accepted in the spirit in which they are given. Parents that own businesses may present each teacher that taught their child with a token of thanks. This could be a gift certificate to their particular shop or restaurant or even specific items such as tins of cookies, candies, and other gourmet delights.
Often, parents or students may give a gift as a “thank you” for a letter of recommendation for a college or part-time employment. All of these gifts are appropriate if limited to small ticket items or gift cards in low denominations. Both students and parents want to show their gratitude, and gifting is one way to do so.
When Not to Accept Gifts
Gifts valued at $50 or more should be discussed with school administration, unless there is a written policy covering the acceptance of gifts. Students and parents may present teachers and other staff members with expensive gifts, possibly to influence student grades or other issues like athletic placements and eligibility for upper level courses.
Offering a teacher – or a group of teachers, a free weekend at a beach or lake house is an example of a gift that should be declined. Preferential treatment at a car dealership or any business in which a parent has direct influence should also be avoided. A completely neutral perspective for teachers is to avoid completely businesses owned by parents of students in that teacher’s class.
How to Decline “Over the Top” Gifts
Many parents that are business owners have integrity and recognize the same virtue in teaching professionals. This mutual understanding should dictate the relationship. When visiting a restaurant owned and operated by a parent, no teacher should expect a free lunch but if it is offered, teachers should politely decline.
The best way to decline expensive gifts is to cite school policy regarding the acceptance of such offerings, even if no such policy exists. This explanation is almost always accepted without further discussion. At the same time, parents should be thanked profusely for their generosity. This is part of getting the teacher-parent relationship back to one of professionalism and integrity.
Ramifications of Accepting Questionable Gifts
Although gifting between professionals might be standard in other industries, in education it can be fatal. While some parents are genuinely well-meaning, others expect the expensive gift to influence the teacher’s decisions regarding their child. This can affect how a teacher grades, referrals into upper level classes, and academic awards. Each card accompanying the gift should end with, “go easy on my kid.”
Accepting exorbitant or “over-the-top” presents puts the professional’s integrity on the line. Even if the student legitimately earns an “A,” colleagues aware of the gift may hold lingering doubts. Further, any future parent-teacher conferences will take place under the cloud of an inappropriate gift.
Solving the Gift-Giving Dilemma
Solving the problem of inappropriate gifts is as easy as drafting a school-wide published policy that affects the entire professional staff. Such policies can be as simple as stating, “no member of the staff may accept a gift from any parent, student, or vendor worth more than $25.00.” It can also offer a more detailed breakdown that includes reporting the offering of expensive gifts to administration.
Most parents will appreciate standardized guidelines regarding gifting. At the same time, parents can be encouraged, through PTA organizations or hospitality committees, to reward all teachers with an end of school dinner or gift cards for every staff member.
Gift or Bribe?
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Gift or Bribe?
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