Teachers like getting notes of appreciation

Friday is the last day of school, but it is not too late for procrastinators to find that perfect gift for their children's teachers.

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Educators said gift cards from spas to book stores are perennial favorites.

Jessica Beitzel, a second-grade teacher at Martinez Elementary School, said she always appreciates gift cards from restaurants.

"That's something I can share with my husband and my family," she said.

Cathy Brinson, a fifth-grade teacher at Martinez Elementary, has a shelf full of apple and teacher-related gifts in her classroom.

She also said a collection of beach-related gifts was a favorite.

"One year I got a lounge chair for the pool. A beach bag. Some flip-flops. I actually got some flip-flops with my initials on them," she said.

Ann Sturkey's Martinez Elementary third-graders showered her with theme-related gifts each day last week.

For example, her pupils started the week by giving her chocolates on "Sweets for the Sweetie" Monday.

"It was a complete surprise. It made me feel really special," Sturkey said.

Of course, parents can remember their child's teacher without reaching into their wallets.

"I like it when the parents will write me a letter and express how much they appreciate what we've done for their children. That's something we can always look back on," Beitzel said.

Annie Burgess, a Martinez Elementary kindergarten teacher, agreed.

She also said she treasures a gift she received as a student teacher three years ago.

A little girl wrapped a porcelain angel with a broken wing in paper towels and gave it to her in a paper bag, she said.

Debbie Callan, a first-grade teacher at Belair Elementary School for 29 years, has gotten many gifts during her career. She said gifts such as cards, pictures and hugs are her favorites also.

"Those are the things I appreciate most - the homemade and the simple ones," Callan said.