Five Great Local Gifts for Teachers

It is by no means necessary or expected that you or your child gives a present to his or her teacher for the holidays. Yet if you all are feeling particularly grateful to Mr. or Ms. Best-Teacher-Ever, it is a nice time of the year to say "thank you."

Susan Stevens, principal of the said she always appreciates the gifts she gets from students.

“My first year in Chilmark, I got a dozen eggs. I’d never gotten that before,” said Stevens, who came to the school from Florida in 2009.

Chilmark’s K-1 teachers Jackie Gozalak, Robin Smith and Gretchen Snyder all reported that homemade cards are their favorite holiday gift.

Eleanor Neubert, who assists with K-1 added that are her personal favorite gift.

Here are a five more local gift ideas for teachers:

1. A gift certificate to . Turns out teachers always need more classroom supplies. If the gift certificate is too impersonal, how about a set of nice pens wrapped in a ribbon? Stevens also suggested pretty note cards that teachers can personalize or inexpensive flash drives.
2. Look up an easy-to-follow recipe for yummy baked goods and make them alongside your child. If you want, you can even find a nice plate at or and give your teacher the treats on top of the plate that they can use and remember all year.
3. There are tons of beautiful gifts made by Island artists at the that runs until December 18 and at the 4^th Annual Artisans Fair that that takes place on December 10 at the in West Tisbury.
4. A gift certificate for a high-end salon/spa like in Edgartown that has a variety of services for both men and women all year long.
5. A really nice homemade card. This can be from you and your child or you can each write your own. Take it from those Chilmark School teachers, sometimes the best way to say thank you…is to say thank you!