Once upon a time during my first year of teaching, I needed some gavels for Class Congress. A student volunteered to make me some in his woodshop class if I brought him some materials. So he cut, built, stained and polished a stair rail I bought. They were the first and best teacher gift I ever received:

Near the end of the semester, I went to get one out of my podium and found they were both missing. We looked for them and some students came up with some theories as to who took them, but I never saw them again. I later bought 3 of my own gavels, but they just aren’t as special as these two were. Since then I’ve had decorations (school funds don’t cover these, I DO), supplies, and even my lunch stolen, so I’m used to it by now.

Guys, respect your teachers. I don’t care how much you don’t like them, NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE YOURS. 

BE A DECENT HUMAN BEING.