An Unexpected, Pleasing, Immaterial Christmas Present
By M.-L.
@MALUSE (69388)
Germany
January 3, 2016 7:36am CST
On 26th December my husband and I went to a restaurant for lunch. While we were waiting for the food, a woman approached me. She smiled at me in a friendly way but I didn't know who she was. She asked, "Did you teach in secondary grammar school So-and-so?" I nodded. Then, "Is your name Mrs XYZ?" I answered in the affirmative. She beamed at me. Then she asked if a certain boy's name meant something to me. She has two son and remembered that one of them had once - 25 to 30 years ago! - been my pupil.
I can't say how many pupils have crossed my path. I guess thousands! But this name rang a bell for two reasons: Firstly, the family has a firm for floor and wall tiling. Every now and then I see a van with the firm's name somewhere in the town when they have work to do. Secondly, the boy gave me a present at the end of the term. I only ever got three presents in my 40-year-long teaching career. I wasn't the type obviously. A colleague always carried presents home. Small things but better than nothing was what I used to think. Two girls gave me two red felt pens so that I could go on marking tests the following term. Very sweet.
The most impressive present was an enormous bunch of flowers. Each pupil had given one Deutsche Mark (then). It looked wonderful. But fate would have it that my husband and I started for Italy the following day. So I gave the flowers to a colleague. Pity!
The most enduring present, however, came from this woman's son. It's a single tile, beige with a brownish flower etched into it, with a metal frame round it so that it can be used as a trivet. It's been standing on our kitchen table for decades. I told the woman to give my kind regards to her son which she promised to do.
Understandably, this encounter pleased me a lot. Which teacher doesn't like to hear that they're remembered with positive feelings?
38 people like this
40 responses
@garymarsh6 (23392)
• United Kingdom
3 Jan 16
OH excellent and what a useful gift. I am stunned you hardly ever received gifts I would have thought you would have been one of the most popular teachers in your school. Your enthusiasm is infectious.
4 people like this
@MALUSE (69388)
• Germany
3 Jan 16
@garymarsh6 I had no problems with respect. As to gratitude. well, it's a teacher's job to teach. While they're still at school, pupils aren't grateful.They're occupied with themselves and their pubescent problems.
One doesn't see too many of them later. When they have positive memories, they come and talk to me. Naturally, there are also some who look away and pretend not to see their old teacher. I did that myself when I was a pupil!
@garymarsh6 (23392)
• United Kingdom
3 Jan 16
@MALUSE You do not need to be the motherly type to have them show you a bit of respect and gratitude. I bet many of them are in quite good jobs thanks to your English language skills and are probably more cultured because of what you taught them.
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
3 Jan 16
@MALUSE The sound of an ego being inflated, perhaps? 
Actually, it's a term used to signify agreement with a proposal or statement. For some reason, the opposite seems to be "Rhubarb, rhubarb!", I have not tried to figure out why. If you listen to debates in the UK Parliament, as these are televised, you will often detect "Hear, hear!" being used to signify agreement with whatever point is being debated.
Actually, it's a term used to signify agreement with a proposal or statement. For some reason, the opposite seems to be "Rhubarb, rhubarb!", I have not tried to figure out why. If you listen to debates in the UK Parliament, as these are televised, you will often detect "Hear, hear!" being used to signify agreement with whatever point is being debated.
@DianneN (247205)
• United States
5 Jan 16
How lovely. I, too, was a teacher. I have received many wonderful and not so wonderful gifts over the years. However, the best gifts were letters from the parents and students thanking me for making a difference in their lives. I still keep in touch with some of those parents and several students. It is very satisfying to see how well they grew up
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
3 Jan 16
This is quite true. When teaching German years ago, students would stop by my class when they were graduating college to thank me. This always made me happy. I loved that they were successful, but the most interesting visit was from a young man who came to see me after spending years in the army. He had been the personal aide to a General who was in all the reunification discussions after the Berlin Wall came down. He thanked me, because he got the job in part due to his ability to speak German.
2 people like this
@HanVanMeegerin (1161)
• United States
4 Jan 16
@MALUSE I'm glad that you had this experience. It must have felt good to know that you were remembered and it sounds as if the memories were fond ones.
1 person likes this
@Darroch (245)
• United Kingdom
3 Jan 16
That's lovely to read. The woman's son was obviously very fond of you. Sounds like your gift from them was well received and has been treasured by you.
Surprised though to read that you never got many gifts. Then again, I suppose my daughter is still at primary school and whilst we tend to get her teacher a small Christmas present and thank you gift when she leaves their class, I'm not sure exactly how it will work when she moves on to the secondary school.
Often though, we find it difficult to decide what will be a good gift for the teacher, so lovely to read you got something you really appreciated.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69388)
• Germany
3 Jan 16
To tell you the truth I wouldn't have liked to get presents from all my pupils. This can easily develop into a competition and the parents (more than the pupils) can start to outdo each other. That can become embarrassing for a teacher. You should contact the other parents and think of one present from the whole class. But it should not be expensive. A bunch of flowers, a ticket for a theatre performance, something like that.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69388)
• Germany
3 Jan 16
@Darroch Yes, someone must do the dirty work. :-) Of course, the parents have to agree. Then each child could bring 50p or 1 GBP - whatever you decide on. One parent would have to buy the present. Maybe there's a timid parent who's always overlooked and who'd blossom if they were asked to do it. Better not choose a busybody. They're a pest. I've known some who'd have liked to be my buddies and even take over my teaching! Horror!
1 person likes this
@Darroch (245)
• United Kingdom
3 Jan 16
@MALUSE I can well imagine some parents trying to outdo one another. 
A joint present does sound a good idea in theory as then the teacher could get a decent gift instead of lots of smaller gifts, but no idea if it would work as inevitably I would think some people would still rather get their own present. And then organising it may also become difficult and I'm saying that from my own experience of being on the Parent Council and helping out with various things.
A joint present does sound a good idea in theory as then the teacher could get a decent gift instead of lots of smaller gifts, but no idea if it would work as inevitably I would think some people would still rather get their own present. And then organising it may also become difficult and I'm saying that from my own experience of being on the Parent Council and helping out with various things.
@MALUSE (69388)
• Germany
3 Jan 16
A pupils doesn't have many teachers. They aren't difficult to remember. A teacher, however, has many, many pupils. All more or less of the same age, dressed alike although we don't have school uniforms. Many first names appear several times. I once had three girls called Andrea in one class.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49367)
• United States
3 Jan 16
Awe, that was a special Christmas gift to run into her. You apparently made a positive difference in his life.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
8 Jan 16
Reading your story reminds me of every end of year when my daughter I gets thank you gifts for working with the ballet dancers getting them to achieve their best . . . she gets one or two thoughtful gifts - the others . . . no thought has gone into them.
@JamesHxstatic (29420)
• Eugene, Oregon
6 Jan 16
What a coincidental encounter that was. I am sure you were happy to be remembered. That was a great gift that has lasted all this time.
@deeraj005 (132)
• Mumbai, India
4 Jan 16
Teaching is the noblest profession ever... Sadly, they are diminishing day by day as students are opting for engineering and doctor... Glad to here that students remember you as a teacher.. It feels special... :)
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45121)
• Canada
5 Jan 16
It's always nice to be appreciated! 
I sometimes think of some the good teachers I have had.
I sometimes think of some the good teachers I have had.
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
6 Jan 16
I know it must have warmed your heart to hear someone remember you after all those years. I know it must not be easy to be a school teacher, dealing with all the children's problems.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
5 Jan 16
It makes it all worthwhile doesn't it. I wish I could tell some of my teachers how I still remember them and how they influenced me in such a positive way.
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
4 Jan 16
Oh my that is awesome. I am sure you treasure his gift forever.
@ria1606roy (2797)
• Kolkata, India
6 Jan 16
Warm positive memories in the warm holiday season. It is a good feeling 
@TheHorse (208196)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Jan 16
I've gotten a handful of thank you presents, mostly from older students. But the best presents are thank you emails telling me they enjoyed my class and/or got into the 4-year school of their choice. Those are rare. Your post made me smile.
