Reading Basket
Second-grade teacher Jamie Ball was a true inspiration to her student Eben Zboch of Charlotte, North Carolina. "She just took him under her wing," says Eben's mom, Rhonda. "She took them all under her wing. She really went out of her way to find what was special in every child." Miss Ball also improved the kids' reading skills that year, so as a fitting thank-you, Rhonda coordinated a class gift. Each student donated a copy of his or her favorite book, and Rhonda placed them all in a wicker laundry basket. (You could also have the kids write their names and a simple message inside the books.) "Miss Ball was so touched," says Rhonda, who described how the teacher kept the basket beside her reading chair. "She now has books for her class, a basket to store them in, and a gift from the students' hearts."

More Great Ideas to Show Thanks to a Teacher
Given that teachers aren't the highest-paid professionals in the world, a gift certificate -- to a bookstore, a restaurant, or even a school-supply outlet -- is sure to be deeply appreciated. You might even team up with other parents to offer something truly special (one class sent their teacher deep-sea fishing!). Here are some more ideas from FamilyFun families.

Give a day of pampering at a local spa. Teacher Sharon Golden of Conyers, Georgia, calls this "the best gift a student ever gave me. The attached note said, 'You work so hard doing everything for others. It's time that you do something for yourself. Enjoy!'"

Say "Thanks a latte!" Mom Debbie Ellenz of Camas, Washington, helped her daughter, Katie, make a card with that sentiment to accompany a gift certificate to a local coffeehouse.

Present a gift certificate, redeemable for your time. A day when you'll volunteer to read to the class, offer tutoring, help on the computer, or even make copies, will mean so much to an overworked teacher. The Bertschingers of Rochester, Minnesota, offered their teacher a yearlong fish-tank-cleaning service.

Investigate the teacher's interests and pastimes and donate to a charity in her or his name (the zoo, the Red Cross, a local library). Have your child make a card explaining the gift, and if the sting of showing up "empty-handed" is too great, let her offer a token gift as well.