11 Wonderful Ways to Thank a Teacher for Being GREAT

It feels (almost) as good to give gratitude as it does to receive it—and in our opinion, few people deserve heaps of praise like your child’s teachers. Since they have the power to open the world to your children every day, we hope you’ll show your child’s teachers how grateful you are for everything they do. Looking for nice things to say to your teacher, but at loss for words? No worries! Here are 11 ways to say THANK YOU to a teacher for the hard work and love they bring to the classroom every single day.

1. Thank a Teacher by Asking to Help

An offer to volunteer is music to your teacher’s ears! Plus, helping out in the classroom even a couple hours a month will build connections to your child’s world—and the teachers who nurture and love them every day.

2. Thank a Teacher with a Hand-Drawn Picture

You know the way your heart melts when your kid draws something just for you? Suggest that they draw a picture for their teacher—and their heart will melt, too! Even the smallest sketch of sweetness from your child will go a long way in letting your teacher know they are appreciated.

3. Show Gratitude to Teachers with Sweets

Find out what your teacher really loves to eat—and treat them out of the blue. Do they have a favorite chocolate bar? Do they snack on energy bars? Whatever they love to munch on, a sweet-treat surprise will make their day.

4. Give Them Something Cool for Their Class

Cute memo pads, well-made organizers, a super-special pen: Support your favorite teacher with classroom materials that make them feel like the incredible professional educator they are! 

5. Keep Your Teacher’s Energy Bolstered with a Coffee Gift Card

It takes a lot of energy to be a teacher. Tell them how much you appreciate their extra effort with a gift card from the local coffee shop.

6. Tell Your Teacher What Your Child Loves About School

What makes your child love school? Teachers love to hear what gets their kids excited about learning. (After all, that means they’re having a real impact on children’s lives!)

7. When Your Child Learns Something New, Thank Their Teacher

Did your daughter write her name for the first time, or learn to skip count by twos? Tell her teacher you’ve noticed how much your child is learning—and how excited and proud she is to reach these new learning milestones.  

8. Teach Your Kids to Say “Thank You” at the End of Each School Day

After a long day of standing on their feet (or crouching on the floor for a session with the building blocks), teachers love it when their charges offer up a simple “thank you” on the way home. This small gesture can keep them going!

9. Show Gratitude for Teachers’ Passion

Teachers don’t teach for the money or the fame—many do it because they love a specific subject or they feel best when helping others. Pen a sweet note that thanks them for the passion they bring to your child’s life—whether it’s making a cool art corner or teaching kids about nature.

10. Take Note of Your Teacher’s Big Heart

Teaching is so much more than circle time and recess: It’s a profession filled with heart. Give your child’s teacher a note that lets them know how much you appreciate their kindness, compassion, warmth, and patience—and especially those moments when they go above and beyond the scope of their job.

11. Be a Blast from the Past for One of Your Teachers

We all have a special teacher who opened up the world of reading, illuminated a particularly fascinating science experiment, or guided us down the path of life to help us get to where we are today. Now that you’re all grown up, send your best teachers a quick note or Facebook message to let them know they really did make a difference in a child’s life—yours!