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These DIY necklaces for teachers are hilarious. But they also reveal sad truths.
05.09.18
If you're scrambling for last-minute gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, don't fret!
Gerry Brooks has you covered.
The YouTuber — a self-proclaimed "fun maker" and school principal — published a video on May 8 proposing three easy, affordable DIY necklaces for the special teachers in your life.
They're pretty fantastic. (Story continues below.)
1. A "hugs and kisses" necklace.
Hugs and kisses, as in, the chocolate candies.
<p>But let's not overlook the delicious symbolism at play here.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTQ3NzM2OC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTMxNjQ1NH0.3RBMfOkCP9ewjfNwgdrqFo9jfVEUoxZJCGSLJzI52nE/img.gif?width=980" id="cac1d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b9560f89d5989275b0af002dbb164440" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption...">All GIFs via Gerry Brooks/YouTube.</small></p><p>Most teachers don't feel as though society <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/30/world/europe/many-teachers-feel-undervalued-survey-finds.html" target="_blank">values their work</a>. And that's terribly unfortunate because they're <em>molding the brains that will create the future</em>. It seems like pretty important work, yes?</p><p>Teachers deserve all the hugs and kisses they can handle.</p><h2>2. A "workday" necklace.</h2><p>It comes equipped with scissors, a glue stick, markers — whatever you think your teacher would appreciate most.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTQ3NzM2OS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTMwNTM1M30.gsjFiGVhfAlX1BPZYIizZE3GZQLHVEC9VWCfxyIjs2w/img.gif?width=980" id="8bab3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b4b6bc0f0d71f334dd3bc1c02dfa46cb" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption..."></small></p><p>It's a cute gift — but, sadly, one that might be more useful than it should be.</p><p>The vast majority of Americans believe the teachers in their community are underpaid, according to a <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/most-americans-think-teachers-in-their-communities-are-underpaid/" target="_blank">CBS News poll</a> released in April 2018. Yet those same teachers with those same salaries are expected to reach (deep) down into their own pockets to provide school supplies for their classrooms so they can do their jobs. </p><p>According to <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/12/19/569989782/how-much-do-teachers-spend-on-classroom-supplies" target="_blank">NPR</a>, many teachers spend up to $1,000 of their own income each year on items like notebooks, pencils, and art supplies for their students. </p><p>That's a <em>whole lot</em> of workday necklaces.</p><h2>3. A "get me to the summer" necklace.</h2><p>It's a necklace with a mini bottle of wine attached to it. </p><p>That's it. That's all. </p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTQ3NzM3MC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNDA2MDk1N30.4-cdag806LMHSR0fT0QKnyeea2SH3arlD2uEbKCw6eY/img.gif?width=980" id="f32bf" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f24282ddcf35836decd9bf6b41756925" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"><small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="add caption..."></small></p><p>Most teachers say they are <a href="https://www.the74million.org/61-of-teachers-stressed-out-58-say-mental-health-is-not-good-in-new-national-survey/" target="_blank">overly stressed</a> — and understandably so. They just might appreciate a drink to take the edge off (to be consumed off school property and after work, to be clear). </p><p>And, just to say it: While summers may serve as a brief respite from the chaos of the <em>official</em> school year, they are hardly a three-month vacation. Most teachers still work <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/07/myth-of-teacher-summer-vacation/397535/" target="_blank">throughout much of the summer</a>, prepping next year's curricula, organizing or moving classrooms, attending professional development meetings or conferences, and more. And because they're underpaid, many teachers <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2018/03/23/why-are-teachers-more-likely-than-others-to-work-second-jobs/" target="_blank">take summer jobs</a> just to make ends meet.</p><p>It sounds like they need a <em>real</em> vacation — which may or may not include a few bottles of wine.</p><p><strong>While teachers across the country <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/03/30/teachers-striking-oklahoma-west-virginia-arizona-kentucky/472742002/" target="_blank">go on strike or conduct walkouts</a> to demand better for themselves and their students, keep in mind just how underpaid and overworked they truly are.</strong></p><p>They deserve way more than one week of appreciation a year. But let's start with these necklaces and go from there.</p>
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