Words To Thank a Teacher: Wonderfully Heartfelt Messages

There are many ways to say, "Thank you, teacher." These short phrases are perfect for beginning a thank you note or to say in person.

• Because of you, I've come to love … (writing, reading, science)

• You gave me the strength I needed to take the next steps toward my dream of … (acting, writing, enrolling in college)

• I'm so grateful you were my teacher.

• Thank you for emboldening me.

• Your positivity and encouragement brightened my days.

• You made me a better, more thoughtful person.

• Your kindness made me feel welcomed and comfortable.

• I'll never forget you.

• You helped me see that I can be more.

• You gave me the confidence to dream big.

• Thank you for your patience throughout this year. It meant the world to me.

• This was a tough semester, but you got me through it!

• You are, hands down, the best teacher I've ever had.

• You inspired me to begin this new chapter in my life. I couldn't have done it without you.

• I'll always remember attending your class. You are the best teacher!

Teachers inspire and help kids and parents alike. If your child’s teacher has made your life better, let them know!

• Thank you for taking the time to see who my child truly is.

• I appreciate all the extra communication from you this year. I felt like part of your class too!

• I learned so much from how you helped my child this year, and I’ll never forget it.

• Our whole family is lucky to have had you as a teacher this year.

• I am so grateful for the impact you’ve had on my child this year. They’ll carry you with them at every grade level.

• You are the epitome of what a great teacher looks like.

• You’ve made a difference in my child’s life, and for that I am grateful.

• It takes a village to raise kids, and I’m proud to have you as part of our village.

• Your willingness to be extra helpful did not go unnoticed.

• Thanks to you, my child had the opportunity to see what a love of learning feels like.

Along with your words to thank a teacher, you might want to include a thoughtful quote to illustrate exactly what they did for you. Look for quotes from famous educators or their admirers to sum up your own feelings.

• "A teacher's job is to take a bunch of live wires and see that they are well-grounded." - Darwin D. Martin

• "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." - Henry Brooks Adams

• "Sunday is a teacher's day of rest: the rest of the laundry, the rest of the housework, and the rest of the papers." - Heidi McDonald

• "A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in pupils." - Ever Garrison

• "Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives." - Andy Rooney

• "The curriculum contains so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element that grows the soul of a child." - Carl Jung

• "When the teacher is ready, the student will disappear. When the student is truly ready… the teacher will disappear." - Lao Tzu

• "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." - William Arthur Ward

• "Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the Earth." - Helen Caldicott

• "Good teachers make the best of a pupil's means; great teachers foresee a pupil's ends." - Maria Callas

• "The test of a good teacher is not how many questions he can ask his pupils that they will answer readily, but how many questions he inspires them to ask him which he finds it hard to answer." - Alice Wellington Rollins

• "I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." - Lily Tomlin

• "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X

• "One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai

• "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." - Pablo Picasso

To get a sense of how to write a thank you note for a teacher, look at the example below.

Dear Mrs. Windsor,

I can't believe the school year is over. Your endless positivity made it a joy to come to class every day. Because of you, I know I can conquer any difficulty that comes my way. We both know you helped me push through those complex math problems.

You're my "once-in-a-lifetime" teacher that will stay with me forever. You taught me that I can never go wrong with a generous spirit. I hope you have a spectacular summer, and I hope to see you around next year!

Sincerely,
Meagan Harkle

As you write your thank you note to your teacher, consider what they did that was exceptional or above the call of duty. Did they change the way you think about something? Did they inspire some new academic pursuit or activity? What will you hold dear when you look back years from now? That’s what you should focus on in your thank you. You can add these sentiments to a card or gift, or say them in person.

A handwritten note from a parent or student is always appreciated and can easily turn into a treasured keepsake. Many teachers appreciate a handwritten note even more than a monetary gift! Whether you buy a notecard or jot the note on a piece of paper, simply write what you feel.

If you want to give your teacher a gift, it’s important that you know a little about their likes and dislikes, so you can choose something they’ll love or use. Did you learn anything about their hobbies or interests throughout the school year? This information will help you pick the perfect gift.

Typically, gift-giving ends once you graduate from elementary school because you have several teachers each day in middle and high school. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t give a high school or middle school teacher a gift if you want to.

A few generic gifts most teachers love or can use include:

• coffee mugs (for drinks or holding pens)

• notepads or notebooks

• themed gift basket (featuring a theme you know they love)

• bouquet of flowers

• gift card to their favorite store (even $5 can go a long way!)

A teacher's job isn't done when that bell rings at the end of the day. They go home to think about the next day's lesson, review papers, worry about their students, and tailor lesson plans to get everyone excited about the day. Find the perfect words to let your teacher know how much you appreciate what they do.

• Examples of Words of Appreciation

• Examples of Words for Thank You Notes

• Quotes About Life Lessons