Giving a Teacher an Apple

My Apple!

I got my first teacher apple today from a third grader! :) Bright eyed and smiley he proudly said, "Here you go Ms. Isley, I brought you an apple because I know how you teachers love them". I gratefuly took the apple from my student, gave him a quick hug and responded with a thanks! This simple gesture made me think, "Where and why did this tradition of 'give a teacher an apple' start?" After a quick google search, here is what I came up with.

Apparently, this tradition also takes place in Denmark and Sweden, not just the US. Some people believe that giving a teacher an apple originated because it was a “simple gift of food for poorly paid teachers” (aboutapple.com). According to one website, giving a teacher an apple is from the term “apple-polishers”. Apple-polishers was recorded in the 1920’s, and were not idolized by other students. However my favorite response is that teachers plant a seed in a student, and it grows forever.

No matter where this tradition came from, my apple today was rewarding. It was as if I was a real teacher, and not just a student becoming a teacher. This one moment of teacher-student interaction is one I will never forget and just reassures my decision for teaching as a profession.