Conversing with teachers has been a fun lunch pastime for many of my friends and me for my past 7 years at Westridge. I’ll lay down on the green, probably dirty, Writing Center couch while talking to Mr. Raines or Ms. Stevenson about pedagogy. I’ll squat on the History department’s homemade wooden stool, yapping about college or politics. I’ll traverse the front of the Commons, complimenting Dr. M on another day of iconic outfits or talking to Ms. Kassar about how busy I am.

Whenever these conversations dry up and turn from intriguing dialogue to polite nonsense, I always like to throw out this one question: what is your favorite gift you have received as an educator?

I’ve gotten the cliches—“I truly don’t expect anything!” or “Just a kind card is all that I want”—but I’ve also gotten the deets on how to truly treat our amazing teachers.

As we wrap up this 2024-25 school year, here are some unique gifts you can grab for your teachers, directly influenced by my conversations with them about this very topic.

A Selection of Cheese
A little weird? Maybe, but I like to think of this gift as unique. Besides the lactose intolerants and vegans of the world, who doesn’t like cheese (Sorry Ms. St. John!)? And even then, I’m not convinced that lactose intolerant people aren’t secretly eating quesadillas at home. Whether it be a nice roll of brie or a thick, rich cheddar, any cheese gift would get you an automatic A next time you take this teacher’s class.

A home staple

Think cutting board, nice knife, or even a kitchen stand mixer—not a mug. Maybe a beautiful painting that reminds you of them (if you didn’t take at least one extra year of art beyond what’s required, go buy something. Don’t make it yourself; you are not talented enough) or a nice sounding speaker.

Quality candy
After a long day of assigning tests, grading ICWs, and trying to figure out if a freshman really wrote “catalyst for change” or generative artificial intelligence did instead, a crisp dark chocolate or a creamy caramel lollipop is a way to forget all of the tediousness of teaching. I’ve heard teachers like See’s, but I think anything not found on a TJ Maxx shelf will do.

A Hydro Flask

Perhaps this inches a little too close toward mug territory, but I think a long term, insulated water bottle/cup can go a long way as a teacher always moving from class to class. The 20oz Tumbler and the Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip lids are classics.

A Good Read
I think a lot of us on Westridge’s campus could use a summer novel, even a science or math teacher. Whether it be a Jane Austen classic, cookbook with lots of references, an inspiring biography, or anything in between, I would imagine it would be nice to stop teaching for a second and get the chance to be a steward of learning yourself.

At the end of the day though, I truly believe your teachers would love anything you give them (yes, even a mug), and that should always include a card. You can give them a tootsie roll, copy of the Communist Manifesto (food for thought?), or a medal that says “Best teacher ever,” but at the end of the day, telling them how much you appreciate them goes the longest way.