Thank-you notes are popular at the end of the year as well as during Teacher Appreciation Week, but they’re really a great idea all year long. Share your appreciation for a teacher with a handwritten note that can be given on its own or accompany a small gift. We asked our community to send us the best thank-you letters to teachers they’ve ever received from students, both past and present. Check out some of our favorites, and use the tips below to write your own memorable thank-you letter for a teacher.
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Thank-You Cards for Teachers
This bundle of 19 free printables includes cards that you can print and give to the teachers in your life.
Tips for Writing a Perfect Thank-You Note
Thank-you notes are sometimes the only way teachers know what students or parents thought of a school year or a class. The best ones are heartfelt, honest, and acknowledge the wonderful—and challenging—times you had together. Use these tips to write a thank-you letter for a teacher that will end up in their forever file.
Share a favorite memory. What is a memory that you still laugh about or smile over? Share that memory in your letter.
Think about what you learned. Every teacher hopes you’ll take a skill or new knowledge with you into the next year. List one thing that you improved at or one way you grew as a learner.
Imagine what you will remember from their class in 5 or 10 years. Will you be talking about a favorite read-aloud or an event from history in the future? Let the teacher know.
Share silly or humorous moments. Chances are, your teacher finds the same mishaps or memories funny as well.
As a parent, what did you appreciate? If you’re writing a thank-you note from the parent perspective, it’s OK to be honest. Did you appreciate how the teacher handled your energetic student with patience? Did you notice how the teacher went out of their way for your struggling reader? Mention your appreciation for those special efforts.
Express gratitude. A simple thank-you goes a long way, so don’t worry about having the longest letter. Just reading that a student appreciated being in our class each day is amazing!
The Best Thank-You Notes Teachers Have Received
Nancy R. via We Are Teachers
1. The ultimate compliment
Here’s a text that would make any educator’s day or even their year. Teacher Nancy R. received this message out of the blue: “You were my inspiration to becoming a history teacher.”
Ms. Jankowski via We Are Teachers
2. Message in a bottle
Some notes are short and to the point, like the clever note this teacher received: “You will be mist.”
Rachel K. via We Are Teachers
3. Super poster!
Rachel K.’s class made her a superhero!
Jenni C.W. via We Are Teachers
4. The whole story
Jenni C.W.’s student made an entire storybook for her.
Megan B. via We Are Teachers
5. All the reasons!
Megan B. shares one of our favorite teacher thank-you notes. It says “You gave me all the reasons to dream big and all the resources to achieve it.”
Melody S. via We Are Teachers
6. Keeping it real
Melody S. has students who tell it like it is. One wrote: “Thank you for being patient and kind when I was being restless and unteachable.” Another wrote: “Thank you for the random orange tickets that I never really understood the reason for, but knew they meant I did something good.”
Carolyn O. via We Are Teachers
7. Aha moments
You have to get a chuckle out of teacher thank-you notes that end like the one from Carolyn O.’s student: “When you teach, it feels like I’m not learning anything, but once you get done teaching, I realize I have learned something! You are a better teacher than you think.”
Rachel C. via We Are Teachers
8. The cutest comparisons
Some notes capture classroom sentiments with the sweetest similes: “You make my day shine like millions of snowflakes,” from Rachel C. And if you’ve recently taught similes, you’ll see how students apply what they learned when they’re thinking about you!
Lisa S. via We Are Teachers
9. You light me up
“You light me up like the Fourth of July,” from Lisa S.
Vicky R. via We Are Teachers
10. Through their eyes
It’s teacher thank-you notes like this—“She so happy and proud of me”—that fill Vicky R.’s “Have a Nice Day” file.
Shonda J. via We Are Teachers
11. Sweet treats
Shonda J. shares this note that was included with a bag of M&Ms. “Thank you so much for the effort you put into teaching everyone including me.”
Dana S. via We Are Teachers
12. Caring about success
Dana S. shares this amazing note from a student: “You opened my eyes to what I could be and what I could do, what I thought was not possible. I still remember how much you cared about our success. You’ve changed my whole aspect on learning. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you or your encouragement and persistence.”
Sarah L. via We Are Teachers
13. Dragon drawing
Nothing turns a day around like student art! Sarah L. was having a rotten day when a student handed her this and said, “I made this dragon just for you.”
Abigail M. via We Are Teachers
14. Written in plaster
Abigail M. says, “Found this note written in the plaster dust after an experiment.”
Sabiha H. via We Are Teachers
15. Being prepared
Sabiha H. says, “Hands down, that quote about teachers coming even though they know what to expect really hit me hard at the time. It was better than a gift .”
Haley N. via We Are Teachers
16. The kids know
Haley N. shares this note that says: “I would like you to know you are a pretty cool teacher. You can snap at some points but it’s okay ’cause we make you like that.”
Sarah V. via We Are Teachers
17. Balloons and rainbows
Sarah V. shares this adorable note that says “I love how you love me too.” And the student reinforces the message with all the balloons and rainbows.
Lori S. via We Are Teachers
18. Notes from the past
Lori S. shares this text she received from a student over a decade after teaching them: “You were the reason I felt safe at school when I actually showed up before I was home bound.”
Sherry B. via We Are Teachers
19. The highest accolade
Sherry B.’s student took her compliment seriously: “You are the greatest 3rd grade teacher in the history of the world!” We know it’s not hyperbole!
20. Get well
It’s always nice to know that students are thinking of you even when you’re away: “I’m so sorry about your injury and hope you get well soon!”
21. Bilingual appreciation
Who doesn’t love when they notice even the little things like “it is so cool that you speak Spanish.”
22. Complimenting the dog
You never know what will make an impression. “I think your dog looks beautiful and wonderful.” And the student appreciates the teacher too.
Laoiseach U. via We Are Teachers
23. First-day memories
Some teacher thank-you notes take us back to the first days of school, like the note to Laoiseach U.: “When it was the first day, I was thinking you guys would be strict, but I was wrong!”
Donna M. via We Are Teachers
24. Promises
Many student notes come with promises, like the could-be-ominous note that Donna M. received: “You are my perfect teacher. See you in September.” While Christina O.’s student promised to keep in touch: “I will always remember you and everything about you that is unique in each and every way. Trust me, you will be getting lots of letters from me.”
Ryan G. via We Are Teachers
25. Hard-won successes
One of Ryan G.’s favorite teacher thank-you notes came with reminders of hard-won successes: “I want to thank you for everything you have taught me. I know I could have been a knucklehead at some points in your classroom … but you would get on me for the better.”
Ashley S. via We Are Teachers
26. Last-day memories
Other notes make us sad for last days, like this note to 3rd grade teacher Ashley S.: “I will miss you more than anything!”
Nikki C. via We Are Teachers
27. The unexpected
Sometimes you keep teacher thank-you notes not because of the eloquence but because of who they’re from. Take this note Nikki C. received from one of her difficult students: “Thanks for keeping me unrotten.”
Kelly C. via We Are Teachers
28. Objective-based
Some notes put lessons—like how to list adjectives—into place, like the note that Kelly C. received: “Here are some words that describe the best 4th grade teacher on God’s earth: nice, friendly, smart, intelligent, brave, decorative, funny, hardworking, fearless, amazing, awesome, magnificent, determined.”
Kelly D. via We Are Teachers
29. All about the sentiment
There are definitely notes that are more about sentiment than penmanship, like this one to Kelly D.: “Love you Ms. Kelly. Thank you for helping me.”
Brandy V. via We Are Teachers
30. Long-range planning
Brandy V. was blown away by this note that asked her to “Please keep being your lovely self forever until we’re all old grannies and grandpas.”
Laura S. via We Are Teachers
31. Classes to remember
Laura S. appreciated this note: “You teach super kids and many more.”
Melissa M. via We Are Teachers
32. The thinkers
There are teacher thank-you notes that tell us how our students view our jobs. Melissa M. got a kick out of this note: “What I’m trying to say is that you know that saying that goes: ‘A teacher learns as much from her student as she taught them.’ I think that if that’s true, you must have learned thousands of things from us because you taught us so many things.”
Nelida H. via We Are Teachers
33. New lenses
Notes can show us how students see us. Who doesn’t want to be seen like Nelida H.’s student saw her? “You look like a princess when you teach.”
Patti H. via We Are Teachers
34. Milestone memories
There are teacher thank-you notes that come after milestones that we’ll remember too: “I read my first book all by myself,” wrote Patti H.’s. student.
Renee H.H. via We Are Teachers
35. The goal
Back to the ultimate goal, from Renee H.H.’s student: “The way you shaped me as a student in a younger age is what makes me successful today.”
36. Creating readers
We love this note that recognizes a teacher who turned a reader into a reader. “I honestly did not like reading, but you made it so much more fun.”
Melissa M. via We Are Teachers
37. Sweeter than sweet
It’s obvious why Melissa M. kept this heart-shaped note: “We love you as you love us.”
Stephanie K. via We Are Teachers
38. Make my day
There’s nothing better than the teacher thank-you notes that remind you of exactly how your students see you. Like this note from Stephanie K.: “I’m not a school fan, but every morning that I come to school I know I can see your face and smile and you make my day.”
Sandra C. via We Are Teachers
39. The best refrigerator art
Colorful notes make the best displays, like this one Sandra C. received: “You do everything nice and sweet. You really are a treat.”
Jen W. via We Are Teachers
40. The ones who never leave our side
Jen W. has a fridge full of notes from a student who missed her, even when they were sitting in the same classroom.
Ashley C. via We Are Teachers
41. Showing the love
Ashley C. shares this incredibly heartwarming note from a student. “You are one of the BEST teachers I have ever had!” How sweet!
Ann C. via We Are Teachers
42. Growth from pain
You never know what kids are going through, and Ann C. shared this amazing note from a former student that emphasizes the importance of always being kind. “You were the only teachers that I ever felt cared about the overall well being of the students.”
Barbara G. via We Are Teachers
43. Finding peace
This student sent Barbara G. a note to let her know just how much she helped her feel safe, secure, and reassured during a difficult moment.
Brooke B. via We Are Teachers
44. “You add an awesome touch”
This is one of the sweetest teacher thank-you notes. Brooke B. shared this message from a student who wanted to let her know how much she’s changed their life. “I just wanted you to know how big of an impact you have made.”
Presley B. via We Are Teachers
45. When class feels like a party
Presley B. shared this great note from a student who clearly had a lot of fun learning in her class that year. “You are so funny and kind.”
Erika D. via We Are Teachers
46. Radiant vibes
Erika D. brought her fun “vibes” to the classroom and made learning even complex math questions fun and exciting for this student.
Cheryl R. via We Are Teachers
47. Embracing diversity
This student in Cheryl R.’s class showed appreciation for this teacher’s interest in her Chinese culture as well as how she helped her learn in the classroom. Fantastic!
Emily W. via We Are Teachers
48. A bright future
This student let Emily W. know that she not only helped them love math again but helped shaped their future career.
Colleen B. via We Are Teachers
49. It’s the little things
Colleen B. shared this note from a student who loved spending time with her this year. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the biggest impact.
Amanda E.C. via We Are Teachers
50. Get into the groove
We know making connections with students helps students learn, and who knows what those connections might be? Amanda E.C. shared this note from a student who appreciated their similar musical tastes.
Tori M. via We Are Teachers
51. Making a difference
Tori M.’s student let her know that her patience and dedication in the classroom are “making a big difference in the world.” Isn’t that the best thing a teacher could hear?!
52. Cherishing the moment
Ms. Gonzalez is living in the moment because she knows she’ll be missing these students after graduation!
53. Being Mrs. Mama
Mrs. Lynd knows that sometimes the sweetest “thank-you note to teacher” you can get is one from your own child.
54. Taking all the risks
It’s hard not to feel flattered when you’re praised for your teaching and risk-taking abilities!
55. Dancing through the day
Miss Megan earned all the praise for introducing her students to some oldies but goodies.
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We Are Teachers
Our bundle of 19 free printables includes cards that you can print to say thank you to the teachers in your life!
