You are probably well aware of what YOU'D like to receive as a little gift, Stacie... your hubby no doubt has favorites, too, and probably a list of "Oh, no, not another one of THESE!" LOL!! Here are some ideas for you... Great Gifts for Teachers Special Gifts Ideas for that Special Educator Better than apples! A+ gifts for teachers Great Gifts for Teachers After you read through these ideas, you will see that most teachers like something they can actually use... at home or in the classroom, like a gift certificate, cookies, homemade breads, a supply of pencils, markers, a tote... Bet you'll find something that is just what your hubby would like to receive! So probably his colleagues would, too!

Thanks for all your hard work Karen! Can't wait to read it in its entirety. Jodi-

Ok sorry guys I'm just going to go through this point by point for time consideration. Not being terse out of rudeness. "Build an easy and nice bookcase/shelving with bricks and planks (kids can do!)" Probably not. I'm sure that breaks all kind of safety rules and union regulations. In some districts it has to be earthquake safe. Can't risk a child-built shelf made of bricks and boards, full of books, toppling on someone. Any repairs and upgrades to schools are union contracts. "I would start in your community with a campaign to raise money" Start by talking to the teachers to see what changes they want and what the *needs* are, then find out from admin what will be allowed, then set a budget/goal, then raise money. You don't want to be stuck with a fat bank account full of funds dedicated to a project that you're not allowed to do or that won't help anyone. "Would also replace that big range for a coffee station with microwave and induction hot plate plus small fridge." The kindergartners at our school use the range once a week for cooking class, and PAC members use it to cook for fundraisers etc. Again, find out the needs *first*. " Boy, if you could get enough lamps in there just to turn off the flourescent lights, that would be huge." In some places public buildings aren't allowed to turn off lights, even in favour of lamps. There are health and safety regulations that cannot be thwarted. CHECK FIRST. Really, this is a public building. You simply cannot jump in and start improving. Much as we would all love to do everything we can to support our teachers and make their lives easier there is protocol that must be followed. Starting with communication with the involved parties. No one likes to be improved with no input, and educators especially have very concrete views about how they do and do not like to work. In my experience, YMMV.

I hired a landscaper via Houzz who, ultimately, did a good job. But the process was agonizing because the guy was so unresponsive. He promised to start in June 2018, and showed up in September. Our contract guaranteed replacement of anything that didn't survive the first year. So, when a few plants didn't wake up the following spring, I messaged him that we needed some new ones. The messaging about "when" continued through the spring and summer. Again, he showed up in September.