While teaching comes with its challenges, it's also an extremely rewarding profession - especially when you get to watch the lightbulb moment when everything clicks. However, one educator has called out headteachers across America who presented their team with half-hearted gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, heads of school are expected to show their team members the "extra credit they deserve" in a way of thanks - either through words, time back or a small present. On occasions, students also bring in presents for their favourite teachers - however, this is not expected but is greatly appreciated.
Teacher Kayla McCourt, who is known as @ms.mccourt on TikTok, has been sharing the worst Teacher Appreciation Gifts she has ever heard of.
She said: "For Teacher Appreciation Week this week, I'm going to share as many of these comments as I can because there are way too good not to share."
Trying to speak through her laughter, she read out: "Don't hate, but we got Jimmy John's and air purifiers."
Another lucky teacher commented: "One year, we got a 2x2 inch square of bubble wrap - that's all. They said it was for 'stress relief'."
"We got a photocopied selfcare colouring book," said one teacher.
Taking to Kayla's comment section, even more teacher started sharing the "awful" gifts they have received from their bosses over the years.
One said: "Yesterday they brought donuts to the school for teachers who are teaching virtually... at home."
Another teacher added: "A rock... because teachers rock."
A third said: "I got a box of office supplies. You know, the stuff that's provided for FREE in literally every other profession."
One more teacher added: "I think I won... we got an email."
It comes after another teacher went viral after sharing the "inappropriate" gift one team was given, saying there's so many "better but still cheap" ways to show their gratitude.
Teacher and TikTok user @strategicclassroom explained how a boss gifted their teachers with an empty sandwich bag and a note that reads: "I know this bag looks empty, but it's actually filled with love".
In her video, she said: "This teacher appreciation gift, which is in fact an empty bag with a cute little note stapled to the front of it, and the frustration that some people had is they assume this was a gift from a student - [but] this was a gift from an administrator.
"If you're not an educator, this is the equivalent of your boss giving you a piece of trash and calling it a gift.
"The question that some people ask was what is a better but still cheaper way to show appreciation for Teacher Appreciation Week.
"My response is always that a thoughtful note expressing genuine gratitude is free. Is it going to take time to write a personalised note for every teacher, to express what you're grateful for about them specifically, yes.
"But it's far better than wasting money on something that's just going to end up in the trash. It doesn't have to cost much or any money at all for people to feel appreciated - but this is an inappropriate gift from a boss to a subordinate."
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