What should my Policy on Accepting Gifts from Students be?

Giving and receiving gifts can be gestures of kindness and support. We as teachers are professionals and must strive to discern the ethical aspects of gifts carefully and wisely.

Sometimes it is better to humbly accept a gift than to refuse it, especially if refusing would offend someone. Children thrill in giving hand-made drawings, cards or crafts as gifts.

Every school has a different policy on accepting gifts. Some teachers develop a policy that they cannot accept a gift from someone they serve. Others will not accept a gift worth over twenty-dollars. Some professionals do not accept gifts at all.

Some of the ethical concerns specific to gifts are as follows:

• Gifts can be a subtle way of influencing or even manipulating others.

• When students give gifts, they may expect the teacher-student relationship to become more intimate.

• We cannot fully understand if there may be any hidden meaning in some particular gifts. For example, a gag or humorous gift can insult another person.

• It is recommended for schools to remain flexible but assertive. It is good to have a conversation about gifts and set some principles which clarify when it is appropriate to give gifts and under what circumstances. Some situations where it is appropriate to receive gifts might be publicly celebrated festivals or other special events.

• When declining to accept a gift which is given, a professional should offer a gentle and clear appreciation for the thoughtfulness. You might also explain why you hesitate to accept the gift and suggest that the gift could be given to a wider group of people such as the whole class or the school social project. This approach also helps curb the development of any private or secret relationship.

What is your policy on accepting gifts from students?

Learn more…Take this course: Ethics for Education Professionals