What to say in a thank-you message for a teacher

Most people know what they feel about a good teacher. Finding the words is the hard part, especially with a phone pointed at you or a blank card in front of you.

This is a simple way to find them. It works for a card, a letter or a video message, and for a five-year-old as well as a parent.

Why the words matter

In 2018, psychologists Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley asked people to write thank-you letters, then asked the people who received them how they felt. The writers consistently underestimated how surprised and happy the recipients would be, and overestimated how awkward they would feel.

So if you are worried it will sound silly: it will not. It will probably mean more than you expect.

A simple shape: a moment, a change, a wish

Most good thank-you messages have three parts. You do not need all three, and you do not need to be clever.

1. A moment. One specific thing the teacher did. "When you…" or "I remember when…"
2. A change. What it meant. "Now I…" or "Because of you…"
3. A wish. Something for them. "I hope…" or "Have a lovely…"

Then say their name, and thank you. Specific beats grand. "Thank you for letting me read the dragon book twice" says more than "You are the best teacher in the world."

Example lines for young children (Prep to Year 2)

Young children do best with one short idea. Ask them a question and let them answer in their own way.

• "Thank you for reading us stories. My favourite was the one about the bear."
• "Thank you for helping me with my shoes."
• "I liked it when we did the volcano. Have a good holiday."
• "Thank you for being kind to me when I was sad."
• "I can read now. Thank you."

Good questions to ask them: What was your favourite day? What did they help you with? What do you want to say to them?

Example lines for older children (Years 3 to 6)

Older children can manage a moment and a change.

• "Thank you for not giving up on me in maths. I actually like fractions now. Don't tell anyone."
• "When you put my story on the wall, I felt like a real writer."
• "Thank you for making class fun, even on Mondays."
• "You always noticed when something was wrong. Thank you for asking."
• "I'll miss your jokes. Have a great holiday, and good luck with next year's class."

Example lines for high school students

Teenagers often say less, and it means just as much.

• "Thanks for the extra help before the exam. It made a real difference."
• "Your class was the one I looked forward to."
• "You treated us like adults. Thank you."
• "I wasn't easy this year. Thanks for sticking with me."

Example lines from parents

Parents see a different side of the year.

• "Thank you for making [child] feel safe to be themselves this year."
• "[Child] came home every day with something to tell us. That was you."
• "Thank you for every email answered, every note in the reader, and all the patience."
• "This year was hard for our family. Thank you for being steady when we needed it."
• "We will remember this year. Thank you for everything you gave our child."

For a teacher who is leaving or retiring

• "Thank you for all the years, and all the children. You made a difference to every one of us."
• "The school won't be the same without you. Enjoy every slow morning."

If they are retiring, a film from everyone they taught can reach past students too.

For the teacher aide and specialist teachers

They are often thanked last, or not at all.

• "Thank you for sitting with me every day. You helped me so much." (teacher aide)
• "Thank you for teaching us the song. I still sing it at home." (music)
• "Thank you for finding me books I actually wanted to read." (library)
• "Thank you for picking me for the team, even when I wasn't fast." (PE)

Helping a child record a video message

If the class is making a video together, the recording is usually done at home, on a parent's phone. A few things help:

• Let them talk. Ask a question, then stay quiet. Their words are the gift, even when they wander.
• A minute is plenty. Thirty seconds is fine. Children do not need to fill time.
• Retakes are allowed. If they freeze, laugh and try again. Nobody has to get it right first go.
• Find the light. Face a window, not away from it. A quiet room helps more than a good phone.
• Hold the phone still at their eye level, and let them say the teacher's name.
• Keep it kind to others. Avoid naming other children, and skip jokes only some of the class will get.

If you are using Warmcut, each person can pick a question to start from or just speak from the heart. The film is made only from what people actually said; it never writes or changes their words.

If words still will not come

That is all right. A short message said plainly is enough:

It is short, and it is enough.