Altavoz

I recently started a new job as a teacher. Long story short, I have the opportunity to earn college credit and the school will reimburse me for the tuition, but I have to pay up front. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, but I hit a financial rough spot. Explaining this situation to a fellow teacher that I barely knew, he cut me a check on the spot for the fees and told me to pay him back whenever it was convenient. I was floored, because I wasn't asking him to loan me money, I was just venting.

Basically, I am paying him back this Friday and I would like to include an extra small gift as a thank you. It can't be too expensive (I'm still broke!) and I don't want it to be too personal, since we are both single and close in age and I don't want him to get the wrong impression. I've thought about maybe cooking something (cookies, brownies, etc) or taking him out for lunch on me during one of the teacher inservices, but I feel like those are both too personal. Anyone have any suggestions?

uncle phil

bottle of wine?

__________________
"We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done."
- Robert S. McNamara
-----------------------------------------
"We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches...
We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
- Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message"
-----------------------------------------
never wrestle with a pig.
you both get dirty;
the pig likes it.

Altavoz

He's the agricultural tech teacher.. wine's not really his thing, haha.. Maybe a case of beer?

The_Jazz

brownies/cookies. everyone likes those.

__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

Tully Mars

A thank-you note and a commitment to "pay it forward."

__________________
I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo

Vice President Starkizzer Fan Club

genuinegirly

You think cookies are too personal? I always thought they were something you randomly make for friends, which it sounds like this guy has become. There's definitely no sexual connotation behind cookies.

It's an Ag teacher? How about a new pair of gardening/work gloves?

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

amonkie

When I was in a similar situation, this is what I did.

__________________
Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

Craven Morehead

gift card - possibly his favorite restaurant

Hektore

The obvious: How about some interest on top of that loan payment?

Better: Something he needs for the classroom? New pointer or something.

Maybe cover one of his detention shifts?

__________________
The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.

Iliftrocks

Hell, to me, somebody paying me back is thanks enough. Just thank him and take him to Taco Bell or something affordable.

__________________
bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

Daniel_

So we've already said "no" to sex?

I like baked goods.

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

clavus

Just try not to make the cookies penis-shaped and you'll be fine.

__________________
Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

Cynthetiq

Same.

To this very day I still pay it forward as often as I can because of one individual who did something nice for me one day.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Tully Mars

Did you read the OP? Both people are teachers. Who are the customers? The students?

__________________
I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo

Vice President Starkizzer Fan Club