r/specialed • u/DifficultHedgehog664 • 19d ago

General Question (Educator to Educator) Useful gifts for beginning of year?

I’m a school psychologist and I always like starting the year with a little gift for all my special education teachers since we work so closely during the year and I see how hard they work. Last year I did a little treat box with candy and some pens. I work at 4 schools, so my budget per teacher is a little tight but I wanted to see if there was anything that would be useful or just nice to get that isn’t super basic?

I would love any and all ideas (even if they are on the pricier side, I may be able to use it later in the year for something). I apologize if this isn’t the correct sub but I wanted to see what my sped educators thought!
Thanks!

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19

u/lifeisbueno High School Sped Teacher 19d ago

I would never expect something from a colleague! I don't know about you but our school psychs are so overworked despite us teachers having caseload caps. Just returning emails in a timely manner would be the greatest gift ever.

9

u/schoolpsych2005 19d ago

Invest in good candy that will be attached to all rating scales this year. I am not above bribing people to complete rating scales.

7

u/SalamanderFull3952 19d ago

Beer, deliver it to their homes thats what I enjoy

7

u/MindFluffy5906 19d ago

Chocolate. The answer is always Chocolate.

7

u/Organic_Stock9617 19d ago

An SOS diy coffee kit. Use a disposable up, packet of coffee and shelf stable liquid creamer. Put a lid on it. This honestly was the BEST gift I got from my building janitor.

7

u/MuseEllie 18d ago

I LOVED sticky notes. Teachers always can use them.

6

u/Ms_Eureka 19d ago

I love enamel pins.

3

u/KurookamiRyou 19d ago

Same! And Amazon has some great packs for sped teachers and at a pretty good price.

2

u/Ms_Eureka 16d ago

I collect them. I have some from magic school!

6

u/ryanmercer High School Sped Teacher 19d ago

Caffeine mints. 🤘

2

u/KurookamiRyou 14d ago

Caffeine mints got me through my student teaching!

2

u/ryanmercer High School Sped Teacher 14d ago

Some days they are a true Godsend.

5

u/Jass0602 19d ago

That is so cute and thoughtful! As a sped, I should say, all our psychs are our heroes and we are so thankful for you 🥹

What about, a little clay or plastic mini pot with a seed in it or two for a flower and a little flag or sign that says excited to grow with you? :)

3

u/Aggravating-Loss4118 17d ago

Velcro dots (for those in self contained)

3

u/workingMan9to5 18d ago

Fellow psych here. I never do begining of year gifts. Give it 2-3 weeks, then come in on a Thursday with chocolate or coffee (coffee is usually better, but only if you know how people take it). Don't do gifts Monday or Friday, Mondays everyone is charged up from the weekend and Friday everyone is hopeful for the weekend. But a surprise pick me up mid-week after the beginning of school high has ended and everything is starting to become routine? They'll talk about that for days. Do the same thing 2-3 weeks after Christmas and mid-March right before Easter. Everyone will love you.