Too Sappy for a Teacher Gift?

We just learned that DS' special ed teacher will not be returning after winter break and I'd like to give her something meaningful in addition to the GC/treat that we usually give as teacher gifts. She and DS have developed a strong bond and she has made his kindy experience a great one so far. I'm so grateful to her. I thought about having DS color her a picture and putting it in a double frame with this poem, but is the poem too sappy or too religious?

THE CREATION OF THE TEACHER
Author Unknown

The Good Lord was creating teachers. It was His sixth day of 'overtime' and He knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to Him and said, "You are taking a long time to figure this one out."

"Yes," said the Lord, " but have you read the specs on this order?"

TEACHER:

…must stand above all students, yet be on their level
... must be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught
... must run on coffee and leftovers,
... must communicate vital knowledge to all students daily and be right most of the time
... must have more time for others than for herself/himself
... must have a smile that can endure through pay cuts, problematic children, and worried parents
... must go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive
... must have 6 pair of hands.

"Six pair of hands, " said the angel, "that's impossible"
"Well, " said the Lord, " it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the three pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty!"

The angel looked incredulous, " Three pairs of eyes...on a standard model?"

The Lord nodded His head, " One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher's head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in the front are only to look at the child as he/she 'acts out' in order to reflect, " I understand and I still believe in you", without so much as saying a word to the child."

"Lord, " said the angel, " this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow".

"I can't," said the Lord, " for I have come very close to creating something much like Myself. I have one that comes to work when he/she is sick.....teaches a class of children that do not want to learn....has a special place in his/her heart for children who are not his/her own.....understands the struggles of those who have difficulty....never takes the students for granted..."

The angel looked closely at the model the Lord was creating.
"It is too soft-hearted, " said the angel.

"Yes," said the Lord, " but also tough, You can not imagine what this teacher can endure or do, if necessary".

"Can this teacher think?" asked the angel.

"Not only think," said the Lord,. "but reason and compromise."

The angel came closer to have a better look at the model and ran his finger over the teacher's cheek.

"Well, Lord, " said the angel, your job looks fine but there is a leak. I told you that you were putting too much into this model. You can not imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher."

The Lord moved in closer and lifted the drop of moisture from the teacher's cheek. It shone and glistened in the light.

"It is not a leak," He said, "It is a tear."

"A tear? What is that?" asked the angel, "What is a tear for?"

The Lord replied with great thought, " It is for the joy and pride of seeing a child accomplish even the smallest task. It is for the loneliness of children who have a hard time to fit in and it is for compassion for the feelings of their parents. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves. It comes often when a teacher has been with a class for a year and must say good-bye to those students and get ready to welcome a new class."

"My, " said the angel, " The tear thing is a great idea...You are a genius!!"
The Lord looked somber, "I didn't put it there."

Any other suggestions for a special gift that is not too expensive?

If you don't know enough about her religious beliefs, I might skip that. It's very sappy but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Also, even though it is "positive", I also see a lot of negativity (mention of all the obstacles, etc.) in it, so I might think twice about it because of that too.

Here is a nice, unique idea:

http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Blossoms...2589885&sr=8-1

We gave this to DD's K teacher and she really seemed to like it.

I like the poem but it is a little sappy. And it's really long to read. Kind of drags on, kwim? I understand why you chose it, though, because it really shows how you as the giver, feel teachers should be valued.

Just throwing this out there, but I love books and treasure the ones given as gifts. The kids and I enjoy looking at the little sayings their grandparents wrote in books they sent to them.

What if you get a really nice book of thoughts, poems, etc., and have your son or you write a note in the front, letting the teacher know how much she has meant to your son? A book that comes to mind (I got it for my confirmation) is Apples of Gold. I got a hard cover one in a box something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Apples-Gold-Co...2590796&sr=1-3 You could write inside the front cover with the date and yours and your son's signatures.

I love it!

I think it's too sappy and too religious but the 2nd would be more problematic than the first if you don't know the teacher's religious affiliation.

Thanks, ladies! I'm nixing the poem in favor of a nice book. Off to Amazon to poke around.

Well....you'd better be absolutely sure of her religious beliefs. As a non-believer I would not know what to do with that gift, although it would be appreciated of course.