| It's World Teacher Day. How to Thank Your Teachers Oct 5th 2012, 08:00 Teachers are some of the most inspiring and influential people in our lives. Yet they're also some of the most under-appreciated professionals in the world, their enormous social value often going unrecognized. Expressing your gratitude for all that a teacher has done for you, whether it's school, college, night school or an adult community course, is something that is always worth doing. Thanking your teacher is a great way to let your teacher know just how important his or her impact has been on your life. - Take into account your teacher's usual style. Even a gruff and seemingly distant teacher is likely to be touched by a kind gesture of appreciation, even if he or she isn't going to show it as much as a more affectionate person. Don't be put off by this––realize that the majority of people appreciate a thank you for their efforts.
- Say thank you. A simple but effective approach is to simply go up to your teacher and say thank you for teaching you. Explain how your teacher's approach to the topic has inspired you and has taught you a way of seeing things that you hadn't thought of before, or similar reactions. Acknowledge the thought, effort and experience of your teacher where appropriate.
- There are likely to be special occasions that present themselves for a personal thank you, such as at graduation time, at the end of a teaching period or year, or after you've received good marks. However, don't leave saying thank you to a defined time––if you feel inspired to say thank you because you've had a eureka moment after a great lesson, then let your teacher know!
- Send a thank you. If you're feeling a bit shy about a face-to-face thank you, or you'd simply like to create a more enduring thank you, a written thank you is a good option. There are several ways to do this:
- Hand write a thank you note. You might even like to make the card yourself. A handwritten note is very personal and caring and shows that you've gone to the effort of making a thoughtful thank you.
- Write an email expressing your gratitude for your teacher's service. This can be a good way to stay comfortable without having to say anything face to face.
- Write a thank you letter setting out the things that you've felt your teacher has helped you with or inspired you to do. Keep it brief and factual.
- If you're stuck for things to say, there are proforma letters and thank you notes available by doing a search online. But do personalize your thank you as much as possible––what comes from the heart means the most.
- Get good grades and maintain them. In some cases this is the only thanks teachers need or even want. By showing that you have understood the work and that you're willing to take it even further by learning more and applying it well is a very precious gift and a great way to show your thanks.
- Make or purchase a gift. A small gift can be a nice accompaniment to a thank you. It's not necessary but it is an easy way to show your appreciation. It needn't be costly––you can make plenty of items at home if preferred. Some ideas include:
- Handpicked flowers from your garden, arranged into a bouquet.
- Homemade food, such as a batch of cookies or a plate of cupcakes. Wrap nicely in clear cellophane with a ribbon.
- Sew a miniature quilt or embroider a small piece of cloth with a message about the important of teaching. Add a frame or hanger for your teacher to place this in the classroom.
- Decorate a photograph of your class photo, with a thanks from the whole class. This will take a little more effort but can be a stunning thank you if everyone participates.
- A small item made by you, such as a piece of jewelery, a woodwork item, an origami shape, etc. Use whatever skills you have to create a small memento.
- Put together a care package with items like coffee and tea, cookies, snacks and treats, etc. Or do a relaxation one with such items as candles, soaps, bath gel, relaxation music CD, etc.
- Make a YouTube video celebrating all the wonderful things your teacher has done for you and your class. Have others contribute to it too. Encourage classmates to leave positive comments under the video.
- Make a PDF or eBook of thank yous from the whole class, including messages, images, photos and anything else relevant. This will last a lifetime!
- Tell other people about the important impact this teacher has had on you. Recommend the teacher to other potential students and offer to act as a student reference for your teacher if he or she needs feedback for promotions, etc.
- Keep it simple––get to the point and don't embellish your thank you.
- Be creative. Do something kind for your teacher that you know he or she will love.
- Thanking teachers is a good way to show them you recognize them as human beings just like you, an acknowledgment which they often don't get from their students.
- Enjoy your teachers and the knowledge, motivation and skills they bring into your life––they can be very interesting, insightful people whom you will cherish your entire life.
- Give all of your teachers a chance. They don't have to teach you every day––they choose to––so keep that in mind.
- Some schools, colleges and other teaching institutions have formal thank you processes in place that you can add your voice to. This can be a great way to explain the impact the teacher has had in your life and potentially help your favorite teacher gain an award or reward of some substance, which can help to boost his or her teaching reputation.
- Don't overlook the power of donating items needed for the classroom as a way of saying thank you, even if this is years after the teacher taught you! Many teachers use their own funds to buy things for the students and classroom, anything from class prizes, room decorations and supplies/books needed. If you can help in this way, then do so and relieve the financial burden a little.
Edit Warnings - Don't be offended if a teacher doesn't react the way you had wanted or expected––some teachers are more comfortable with interacting with students than others.
- Don't go overboard; it can backfire and it could make future interactions with that teacher awkward.
- Don't be flashy, especially if you're not planning on including the rest of your teachers in the giving of thanks. It could hurt the other teachers' feelings and make things uncomfortable around school.
- Know a teacher's "boundary line". For example, it can be very uncomfortable for a teacher if a high school student were to give a teacher heart-shaped cookies for Valentine's Day baked at home. While the student may not mean anything by this beyond the fact that it's a day of celebration, it can make some teachers feel very uncomfortable. Although such an occurrence is a case of a misunderstanding, it can be very awkward.
- If making a video, do not say anything offensive or intimidating. Not only is that no way to say thank you but it could land you in very hot water.
Edit Things You'll Need - An appropriate formulation of your thank you
- Thank you notelets or paper (optional)
- Gift (optional)
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