Writing a Good Teacher Appreciation Letter (with Sample)
Use this sample teacher appreciation letter as a template for your formal teacher appreciation letter.
Last updated on January 16th, 2022
Most teachers work hard to make learning easy and fun for their students. They may go out of their way to help a student who is having difficulty understanding the subject, and they may help a fast learner get ahead.
Students and parents may feel like thanking a teacher for all their care and consideration throughout the year, and one way to do this is to write a teacher appreciation letter.
Students and parents may feel like thanking a teacher for all their care and consideration throughout the year, and one way to do this is to write a teacher appreciation letter.
Teachers also often help students with personal problems and help them grow emotionally as well as academically. Writing a letter of appreciation to a teacher is a good way to let the teacher know that all their efforts were worthwhile.
It is recommended to send a copy of the letter to the principal of the school, so the letter will become part of the teacher’s permanent file. Appreciation letters may also be sent to school boards or parent committees to inform them that one teacher is doing an outstanding job.
Give Specific Ways the Teacher Helped
The letter should give specific ways the teacher helped, and if there are more than one or two ways, the can be expressed in chronological order.
If there is a chance the teacher may not remember the student who is writing the letter, it can start with a simple introduction of the student and mention some personal characteristics that the teacher may remember.
The student or parent should mention specific actions the teacher did that helped the student. For example, it can mention special help in a particular subject after school, or guidance and counseling in personal relationships.
This will encourage the teacher to continue their teaching method because it had such a big impact on a student. Gratitude should be expressed only once in the body of the letter, but may be repeated in the closing phrase. If it is expressed too often, it may sound insincere.
Less Formal Approach
Teacher appreciation letters can be handwritten on an attractive note card for a less formal approach or simply on a piece of writing paper.
However, a more formal approach may be appreciated by the teacher especially if it is copied to his or her principal. The writer should use short sentences and be simple and clear.
The letter should address the teacher by the name the student used and not in a less formal way. For example, it may say Dear Mr. Jones and not Hi Jonesy. The writer should double check grammar and spelling because the letter is to a teacher after all.
The letter can also state what the student is currently doing. They may be in college or have a job, but the teacher will be interested to know how the student fared when they left his or her classroom.
If the teacher wrote a recommendation letter for the student, they can thank the teacher and mention how much it helped them get admitted to college or to be hired by a company.
Here is a sample of a formal teacher appreciation letter from a former student. It can be modified to be from a parent in appreciation of the time and consideration the teacher gave their child. The letter can be either sent through the mail or hand delivered to the teacher. A copy to the principal should be sent through the mail.
Teacher appreciation letters can be handwritten on an attractive note card for a less formal approach or simply on a piece of writing paper.
However, a more formal approach may be appreciated by the teacher especially if it is copied to his or her principal. The writer should use short sentences and be simple and clear.
The letter should address the teacher by the name the student used and not in a less formal way. For example, it may say Dear Mr. Jones and not Hi Jonesy. The writer should double check grammar and spelling because the letter is to a teacher after all.
The letter can also state what the student is currently doing. They may be in college or have a job, but the teacher will be interested to know how the student fared when they left his or her classroom.
If the teacher wrote a recommendation letter for the student, they can thank the teacher and mention how much it helped them get admitted to college or to be hired by a company.
Here is a sample of a formal teacher appreciation letter from a former student. It can be modified to be from a parent in appreciation of the time and consideration the teacher gave their child. The letter can be either sent through the mail or hand delivered to the teacher. A copy to the principal should be sent through the mail.
Teacher Appreciation Letter Sample
Name of Student or Parent
Address of Student or Parent
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Name of Teacher
Name of School
Address of Teacher
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Name of Teacher,
I’m writing this letter to tell you how much I appreciate all the help you gave me during my senior year in high school. With your guidance and direction in both my academic studies as well as my social relationships, I avoided several situations that would have had a negative impact on my future.
You helped me make the final decision to attend pre-med in college. This was something I could not decide on my own, but your encouragement in biology class and extra help made me realize that medical school was my future.
Without this encouragement, I would have never studied for my SATs and secured a place in Name of University. I would have spent my time at parties and been happy just to get out of high school.
Your patience and understanding, and most of all, your ability to listen to me and value my thoughts and feelings had a deep impact on me. Today, I am entering medical school and I can honestly say it is thanks to you.
I hope you are well. I am sure you continue to inspire other students. If I can help you in any way please feel free to call me at 555-123-4567 or reach me at [email protected]. I believe I am a good example of your love of teaching and dedication to students.
Sincerely,
Signature of Student
Name of Student Printed
Copy to Name of Principal
By Andre Bradley