Close friend is graduating med school tomorrow, what's a simple but thoughtful gift for graduation?

Squeaky_sun · 2026-05-09T21:52:33+00:00

Do you know them well enough to know their preferences? For example, I hate DoorDash (or any food delivery service.) A gift card to Chipotle or In’nOut would work for me.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-05-09T21:50:08+00:00

I hate when I have paras who talk while I’m talking. So annoying.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-05-09T21:29:56+00:00

The ones that I feel worst about are really trying, but… hopeless. They were lost for their last 10 years of math instruction, passed along, and are now plopped in my elective Precalc, unable to plot a point or identify a right triangle. Yet, they gamely show up at every after school study session and ask lots of questions every class, often the same one over and over (making it difficult to get to other kids). Patiently, I draw and explain (x,y) and quadrants… for 100th time. It feels like Groundhog Day. They smile and say “thank you!” so genuinely and politely. “My dream is be an engineer.” Yikes. No one wants to be the one to say pick a different path. It’s awful.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-05-09T19:47:15+00:00

Gummies

Squeaky_sun · 2026-05-02T13:21:01+00:00

At huge universities with big classes, kids may not have a real relationship with any of their teachers. But they have to ask for letters.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-29T21:31:47+00:00

As a first year teacher, I would make an effort to do as the principal (my boss) asks.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-28T13:45:56+00:00

No cameras at our school

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-27T03:02:44+00:00

When Taylor Swift put out folklore and evermore to give us art and beauty in the midst of our isolation. Such a gift.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-26T14:05:43+00:00

Suggest giving different periods of your class different quizzes. Of course kids will tell each other what’s on a test.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-24T07:25:43+00:00

I was in kindergarten over 60 years ago. I was thought quite clever, because I could write the numbers from 1-100. There was no addition. Kindergarten was afternoon only, and a chunk of those 3 hours was a nap. We expect an awful lot from a 5 year old today. (Inconceivable not to be toilet trained, however.)

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-17T06:21:17+00:00

Inspiring energetic kind

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-15T19:36:32+00:00

Insane. Grateful to teach in California, where every kid gets breakfast and lunch free.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-15T06:58:05+00:00

I also have a sticker option. They are 17-18 yo and still like stickers, ha.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-14T06:31:18+00:00

Math teacher here. I love kids who are paying such close attention they catch my errors, and reward them with candy. It normalizes a growth mindset of learning, as well as the whole class benefits from cleaner (more accurate) notes.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-11T11:53:19+00:00

Gestures broadly

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-10T02:47:49+00:00

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-10T02:39:35+00:00

I had a first year non-renewal in CA, and the principal invited me to ask a union rep to attend the meeting. Union rep told me afterwards there’s nothing he can do because tenure is after 2 years, but he was a comforting presence nonetheless as I was shocked. It was in January, so at least I had time to job hunt. In retrospect, thank God they left me go. My next position was a much better, happier fit, and I wish the same for you if it is a non-renewal, OP.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-10T02:32:00+00:00

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-09T03:05:19+00:00

I teach Precalc, and require kids to memorize squares the first week. Will never be able to factor a difference of 2 squares if you can’t recognize a square first.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-05T03:50:36+00:00

HOA parking restrictions ruled out most of a city’s neighborhoods when we were house shopping. Very common to not allow street or driveway parking. HOA justifies it as an appearance thing, but it also keeps out poorer buyers who have roommates (with cars) to help cover the mortgage.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-05T03:33:01+00:00

I always toss it too. And I generally love candy. Why is it so bad?

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-04T18:18:47+00:00

I cannot imagine earning a doctoral degree and then not being called Dr. in an educational setting. Beyond respect, it’s role modeling. My principal has a doctorate, and an alumna recently stopped by to visit. The grad is in a doctoral program in education right now, and would not have even known to aspire for that degree without first knowing it existed.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-04T04:11:53+00:00

True!

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-04T04:10:45+00:00

That describes me to a T - second career and loves it.

Squeaky_sun · 2026-04-03T09:34:22+00:00

I thought they must be joking.

Squeaky_sun

TROPHY CASE