Thank You Note To Teacher

No matter your profession, everyone desires appreciation and respect for what they do.

Often under-recognized…

Teachers may not earn the most or get the most attention for what they do, but they spend year after year building relationships with their students and their families.

If you ever write a thank you note to a teacher; they will surely be grateful and cherish it for a lifetime. Thank you notes show kindness and thought and can be used to convey valuable information and ideas.

Follow this comprehensive guide to see how to write thank you notes to the teacher in your life.

Brief History

Dating back to China as early as 551BC, Confucius is considered one of the world’s first teachers.

statue of confucius

Over centuries teaching has evolved from private home tutors to public institution professors in colleges and universities across the globe.

Even though teachers have been working with scholars for ages, they haven’t been officially recognized until more recently. In 1953, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to honor teachers by establishing a national appreciation day.

Despite these efforts, a nationally recognized day to honor teachers did not stick until 1980 and has since been renamed and falls during a different time of year than it did initially.

Today in the United States, teachers are honored during the first full week of May for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Where To Begin

primary school student writing in a notebook

So you want to write a thank you note to your wonderful teachers? Let’s get started!

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Why do I want to write this letter? (End-of-the-year, holiday, a meaningful event, etc.)
  • Is there a specific event or sentiment I want to include? (A field trip, football game, etc.)
  • Are there more people involved? Should I write to several teachers?
  • Do I want to use a Thank You card, stationary, or other paper? 
  • Will I type or hand-write my letter? 

There are really no right or wrong answers. The main goal is to determine how you plan to write your thank-you note, so you will have a plan in mind when getting started.

For example, if you are writing a thank you note for a coach or director, consider whether you also need to write a note to the assistant coach or other supportive leaders? You may not want to, but it is something to consider so your other teachers won’t feel left out.

Fun Fact: Regardless of whether students hand a letter of appreciation or not, it is up to the teacher to continue showing love, care, and affection toward their wards by providing them with words of encouragement or giving them praises if well deserved. See how it is done by going here — When to Give Praise and How to Compliment Your Students — 75 Encouraging Comments for Students.

Sample Letter To Teacher

teacher smiles with a kid in school

Dear Mrs. Monty, 

I can’t believe the year has come to an end. I have learned so much in your class, especially those tricky long-division problems! I am grateful for the time you spent working with me after school to learn the steps needed to solve the problems. 

I made many new friends in your class too! Everyone loves to be in your class because you make learning fun and allow us to work together. This helps us get to know each other better. 

I know I will be going to Middle School next year, but I hope to see you around! Maybe you will teach my little sister in a few years. 

Thank You, 

Jamie R. 

Thank You Note Examples

Sometimes it can be challenging to decide what you want to write when composing a thank you note to the teacher. You can use these examples to help you get started.

Check out these sample messages that you can use to enhance the next card you send to your favorite teacher.

Messages From A Young Student

If you have elementary-aged children you may need to provide support in their writing.

However, some of the best thank you cards a teacher can receive are from little ones!

It is perfectly fine if spelling and grammar are lacking when young children compose their own thank you notes to the teacher. The funny things children say can brighten a teacher’s day.

If you have more you wish to add, you can include your own note or message in addition to your child’s original sentiment.

  • “Thank you for teaching me this year. My favorite things about your class are _____, ______, and ______. You are the best teacher ever!”
  • “You are such a good teacher. I like it when you _______. My favorite thing about being in your class this year is _______. You are the absolute best teacher!”
  • “Dear Mr./Mrs. _____, I want to thank you for being such an excellent teacher this year. I learned so much in your class. I will never forget you. You are my favorite teacher!”
  • “I am happy that you were my teacher this year. You are a wonderful person and have helped me learn how to ______. Thank you for being such a fantastic teacher!”
  • “This year has been so much fun! Remember that time when we _______? We all had a great time. You are the best teacher I have ever had! Your Student, ________”
  • “Dear _______, I am writing to tell you just how much you mean to me. I am so glad that you were my teacher this year. You are always so nice to me and the other students. I am happy when I get to go to your class!”
  • “Thank you for being my teacher. I had a wonderful school year learning from you. Even if I didn’t understand something, you always helped me to figure it out. I am so glad that you were my teacher!”

Messages From An Older Student

Older students should have the writing skills needed to compose their own thank you letters; however, your guidance may be required. Help by showing an example and making sure the basic formatting is correct.
Teachers are going to be thrilled to receive a letter of appreciation.

So, don’t stress the specifics when it comes to formality.

Even older children will come up with creative and personalized messages that will mean the world to their teachers.

  • “Dear Mr./Mrs. _____, I have had a fantastic school year in your class. It means so much to me that you took the time to help me with ______. I thank you for your time and patience, and I will always be grateful.”
  • “Thank you so much for all that you’ve done for our class this year. It has not always been easy I am sure, but you are such an amazing teacher. I hope you have a relaxing summer vacation. I plan to see you next year, and if I can help you grade papers after school, please let me know!”
  • “When I learned that _______ was in your class, I jumped for joy! I know how much you do to help these children, and I am blessed that you were ______’s teacher this year. We had such a positive experience, and I know he/she will miss you! Thank you!”
  • “Dear _____, I am writing this note to thank you for all that you have done to help me this year. You are a fantastic teacher and our class had so much fun learning with you. I will be sure to come to visit you next school year.”
  • “This year has been difficult for me in many ways, but you turned it into a positive experience. I couldn’t have gotten through without your kindness and support. I appreciate your understanding and everything you’ve done for me this year.”
  • “Dear _____, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed being in your class this year. You aren’t just a teacher. You have been a positive role model for many other students and me. I am forever grateful! I hope you have a nice summer.”
  • “I am so thankful for your support this year in ______ class. You never made me feel ashamed when I had trouble with the assignments, and you always took the time to explain the answers to my questions. This meant so much to me. I will always remember you!”
  • “Dear ______, Your kindness this year really helped me to overcome some difficulties in my life. When I was having a rough day, you always smiled and showed me that you cared for me. This made such an impact on me from the start. Thank you!”
  • “I want to thank you for being such a big influence in my life this past year. I came into your class with very low self-confidence, especially when it came to ______, but after working with you and getting the extra support after class, I am prepared for anything!”
  • “A million thanks to awesome teachers like you! I know you go the extra mile in this often thankless job, but you still deliver lessons with excitement. Your unique teaching style and positive energy helped my classmates and me to love school again!”

Messages From A Parent/Guardian

A parent-teacher relationship can sometimes be strained, especially if there have been difficulties throughout the school year in terms of poor behavior or academics in class.

A heartfelt message from a parent is huge, and even if you don’t have a lot to say, a simple thank you card goes a long way.

Showing respect and gratitude to your child’s teacher is a wonderful way to make amends or end the school year on good terms.

  • “I am so grateful that my son/daughter, ______, had such a supportive teacher this year. I know how he/she struggled with algebra class, and you took the time to help make sure he/she understood the information. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher!”
  • “Dear Mr./Mrs. _____, Happy teacher appreciation day! I am so thankful that you have been my child’s teacher this school year. All the extra efforts you made meant so much.”
  • “The time you have taken to work with your students and help them achieve academic success and emotional and social situations means so much. You have created a positive learning environment for your students. We appreciate everything you do!”
  • “Thank you so much for the amazing year you have given to my child in school. We are so grateful for your time and support. This has been a year that we will never forget, and we have you to thank! We appreciate you, Mr./Mrs. _____.”
  • “We are so thankful that you have been our child’s teacher this school year. He/she has learned so much and we are very impressed. You are an awesome teacher! Thank you so much for being you!”
  • “_______ has learned so much this year in your class! You have been such an inspiration to our son/daughter. We are very fortunate for teachers like you who share their love for learning with their students! Happy teacher appreciation week!”
  • “Dear Mr./Mrs. ______, Thank you so much for being such a role model for ______ this past school year. He/she was always so eager to go to your class, and I know how much he/she learned. Thank you so much.”
  • “Thank you for being so patient with ______ this year. You did a fantastic job helping him/her learn ______. I know it was a struggle for all of us at times, but your devotion and kindness made all the difference in _______’s school experience this year.”

Showing Appreciation

It is important to remember that you can write a thank you note to teachers any time of the year and for many reasons.

You don’t only have to thank your teacher by writing a note for Teacher Appreciation Week.

In addition to a typed or handwritten note, teachers would be grateful to find any of the following personalized gifts as well:

  • Drawings
  • Paintings
  • Poems
  • Songs
  • Photographs
  • A handpicked flower
  • Baked goods

Your teacher may not have given you a tangible gift.

But the time and energy they spent throughout the school year have indeed helped you in many ways.

This video walkthrough shows the steps to take to write a proper thank-you note for a gift. Check it out!

In addition to the video above, here are some pointers that you may want to consider to write an awesome “Thank You” note to the teachers:

Letter Writing Basics

Professional letters follow different guidelines from a friendly letter written by a friend or child. Many teachers would love to receive a thank you note or card in any form!

If you are using professional letterhead or want to create a formal stationery template, list your full name and address at the top of the letter. This is considered the sender’s information.

When writing a note to your teacher or a friendly letter, it is still wise to include your name and address in the upper right-hand corner. Including a heading will identify yourself as the sender and provide your address if a reply is desired.

middle school student writing

After writing the greeting, or the teacher’s name, you can compose the body of your letter. Here, you will include all the information you wish to say to the recipient. Use decorative stationery or digital templates to add personality and style to your note.

Finally, add a closing and sign your name so the recipient sees who the letter is from. You can seal the letter into an envelope to be mailed or hand-delivered.

Sample Letter Introductions

I like to begin greeting cards, notes, or letters by asking a question about the recipient. Check out these examples:

  • Hi! How are you doing? 
  • I haven’t seen you in so long. How have you been?
  • I am currently attending ______ school. Are you still teaching at _______ school? 
  • Hi! How are you? Are you still teaching ______ grade? 
  • My name is ________, and I was in your ____ grade class. 
  • I am so thankful you have been my teacher this year. 
  • I have enjoyed your class this year. 
  • I am looking forward to getting to know you this year. 
  • Thank you so much for being my teacher this year.
  • I am so grateful that I was in your class this school year. 
  • I have had so much fun learning in your class this year. 
  • I know that being a school teacher is not always easy. 
  • You have made such a wonderful impression on me this year.

Sample Letter Conclusions

  • I have enjoyed your class this year. 
  • You are such an awesome teacher!
  • I hope you enjoy your retirement. 
  • It has been nice catching up with you. 
  • I have fond memories of your classroom, and I thank you again for all your support. 
  • I hope we can stay in touch. You are a great teacher!
  • You are such a wonderful person!
  • Thank you again for teaching me how to _______.
  • Thank you for helping me with _________. 
  • I hope you have a wonderful summer vacation. See you again next fall!
  • You are the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you express thanks to a teacher?

One of the easiest ways to show appreciation to a teacher is by writing a thank you card or note. Teachers will appreciate the time you put into this thoughtful gift. You can purchase decorative thank you cards or stationery to write a personal message inside.

What is the best message for teacher?

When writing a thank you note to teacher; the best message is one that comes from the heart. Don’t overthink it! Any personalization or a special memory that you can include will be sure to put a smile on their face. Check out some of the examples above to help you get started!

What should I write in a thank you card for my teacher?

Start a thank you card for your teacher by expressing how much you enjoyed their class. If you are having trouble in class, you can even say, “Despite my struggles in Geometry this year, I have enjoyed your class.” Being honest and genuine in your writing is what is essential.

Final Thoughts

The most important factor to consider when writing a thank you note to teacher is to write from your heart.

Teachers appreciate their students, and when someone shows how much they care by writing a sincere thank you card, it means a lot!

In short, writing a thank you note to your teachers is a kind and loving way to show your appreciation. Tell them that they are the best teacher and how much you enjoyed being in their class. You will really brighten their day with a thank you note, and it will mean so much to them!

Last Updated on July 21, 2022 by Emily

Emily/ author of the article

Emily is an active mother of two and a dedicated elementary school teacher. She believes the latest technology has made a huge impact on the quality of early learning and has worked hard to upgrade her classroom and her own children’s learning experience through technology.

Follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more teaching fun!

MyTechClassroom.com
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