The Best Teacher Gifts EVER Linky Party

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! I'm so excited to be linking up with Katie from Little Warriors: Kindergarten Blog with the Best Teacher Gifts Ever! As I look back over the past 10 1/2 years now, several gifts come to mind like the old stuffed animals, homemade cards, pieces of their own candy, etc. Being at a school for 10 years now that has a high poverty rate, I've received some of the most thoughtful gifts ever! However, one always sticks out in my head as my top gift ever!!!

During my 3rd or 4th year teaching, I had a little girl who didn't have the best home life, but she had a grandma that cared for her and loved her so much. She literally was my little clone during school, always wanting to be by me and do things like me. She was a teacher's dream student. Well, I always keep one of my guitars at school so I can play with and for my students! I love it. They love it. It's a win-win! :) So, this struck a chord with this student. She loved it even more than the typical. When it came time for our Polar Express Day and Holiday party, her grandma came in to help out. While this student was with her classmates, I spoke with her grandma a bit. She proceeded to tell me how all her granddaughter talks about is "You and your guitar, you and your guitar. We bought her one for Christmas and lessons to go with it." I wanted to cry right then and there!! It was the best gift I've ever received!!! To actually know the impact you have on a student is far more superior to me than any tangible gift. To know that something so simple I loved to share with EVERYONE (I used to play and sing for anyone in my sorority in college that would listen to build up confidence! hah) made my student happy was the best gift ever!!

To top it off, the next year when she was in 3rd grade, I asked her if she would play with me. I actually told her when she was with me that I wanted her to bring in her guitar the next year. Well, she did! She brought it in for my class and me and played a few songs she had learned! Then we played together!! I ended up developing one of the pictures of the two of us, put it in a frame, wrapped it, and gave it to her that year. Years down the road after I coached her in basketball and her moving on to the middle school, any time I saw her grandma, she would tell me that she still has that picture front and center in their living room on their TV. Gives me chills to this day!!!

Last year, I had the absolute privilege of being invited by this student as her guest to the academic awards banquet for getting all As and Bs throughout middle school. I was beyond thrilled and honored! Everything came full circle!

Some of the best gifts don't come wrapped for sure!!!!!!!

I want to wish all of you the Merriest Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!! Enjoy the traditions, food, and memories being made with your loved ones!! Embrace the magic!! :)

Don't forget to take a look at all of the other best gifts ever back on Katie's blog, Little Warriors!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!!