45 Teacher Appreciation Message Ideas To Tell an Educator 'Thank You' This Year

Thank you message for a teacher

During the school year, educators spend more time with our children than we do. They invest in the emotional, social and academic development day in and day out. They work through challenges and celebrate successes. How do you adequately thank someone for that? Well, we answer just that with these 45 ideas on what to write in a teacher appreciation card!

Most of the time, students develop a strong bond with their teachers. This transfers into confidence and greater academic success. Years later, adults can still tell you who their favorite teachers were, and tell detailed stories about the impact they had on their lives.

In our attempts to write a teacher appreciation card, there are three things to highlight as you think through what to say: be personal, sincere and specific. (Of course, they're not going to object if there's a thoughtful, personalized gift that goes along with the appreciation card as well.)

Here, we've focused on thoughtful messages as we prepared this list of 45 teacher appreciation card prompts, for both parents, guardians and students of different ages, to get you started.

Related: 55 Creative Teacher Appreciation Week Ideas to Say 'Thank You'

What To Write in a Teacher Appreciation Card From a Parent or Guardian

1. Thanks for keeping my child safe.

Have you noticed ways a teacher puts in extra effort to keep your child safe? Mention a specific instance if you can.

2. Thanks for your patience.

Does your child require extra attention in a particular area? Was it a trying year for your family, and the teacher was extra helpful?

3. Your creativity made for a fun year.

Maybe this particular teacher had exceptional art skills or used a lot of rhyming, lyrical phrases to help with memorization. There are lots of ways for teachers to show off their creativity.

4. You helped my child overcome social struggles.

If your child had difficulty finding his place in the past, but this year made some friends, credit your teacher for any part she played in that.

5. My child enjoyed going to school each day.

It means a lot when our children actually want to get up in the morning and come home talking about how much they enjoyed their day. Teachers are definitely a big part of this!

6. Thank you for getting my child over the learning hump.

Maybe math got easier, or they found just the right books to help them fall in love with reading. Mention areas where your child seems to be excelling more than she was before.

7. You found us the help we needed.

Teachers can be a great resource for finding a tutor or a paraprofessional or taking the time to give a little extra help themselves when a student needs it. Thank them for this.

8. We felt like we were a part of your classroom.

Especially if this teacher offered good volunteer opportunities, had a helpful social media page, or reached out via email regularly. Whatever way they helped to keep you included.

9. You went the extra mile.

This might be organizing an after-school club or coaching a sport or activity. Teachers often do more in a school than teach in the classroom.

Related: 75 Gifts for Teachers To Say Thank You

10. We've enjoyed getting to know you!

This simple message could accompany a gift card or special something you know a particular teacher likes.

11. You brought out the best in my child.

Every school year is one of tremendous growth for a student. How has your child grown up this year? What did the teacher do to foster that?

12. Remember that time...

If there's a personal story or two that's unique to a particular school year, write that out. It might just be the card a teacher files away as a keepsake for years to come.

13. I'm glad I could trust my child with you.

Especially for parents of children with special needs, cognitive, physical or emotional. Some teachers have an exceptional gift of caring for the needs of these students, while also managing a classroom of students.

14. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us!

A music teacher playing the piano regularly, teaching sight readings of all the parts of a song arrangement, the band director and all those instruments, an art teacher who works with a variety of mediums. Teachers of fine arts deserve a round of applause.

15. You developed my child's love of [fill in the blank].

We have our favorite subjects, and they often begin to point to future career aspirations. Think of ways a teacher gave your student extra opportunities to develop the skills she recognized in them.

16. You saw my child's struggle with [fill in the blank] and found creative ways to help.

Sometimes a child struggles with certain subjects, but they hit a point where it clicks, or it's discovered that they learn a little differently. The best teachers get to know each student, and they find ways to lessen the struggles. That's huge!

17. It was an above-and-beyond year because of you!

Every classroom has its standard curriculum to get through in an academic year. What did your teacher do to make the classroom a fun place, beyond what the basic requirements?

18. You were our first teacher, and an unforgettable one.

Preschool and kindergarten teachers have a special place in our hearts because they take in our babies. Acknowledge how much this meant to you.

19. You made math fun!

It happens sometimes! Maybe add "If we could multiply a teacher like you, the world would be a better place." Or an equation: "You + Arithmetic = Makes Sense."

20. Thanks for taking the time to get to know my kid.

Some students take extra effort to get to know because they're shy or struggle with anxiety. Those teachers who show patience and persistence can make a big difference for these students.

21. Because you always brightened our day!

This message could accompany a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant.

22. It was sweet of you to care.

Find out the teacher's favorite candy, and thank them for being sweet.

What To Write in a Teacher Appreciation Card From a Student

23. Those days without you were not the same.

Occasionally, a teacher might need a long-term sub, and this can be a difficult time of transition for the classroom. Let the teacher know they were missed!

24. You prepared me for life.

Were there life skills a teacher focused on that deserve special recognition? Think public speaking, computer skills, first aid classes, survival skills, babysitting tips, etc.

25. I get math much better now because of you!

Sometimes it takes a special teacher for things to click!

26. You helped me fall in love with the classics.

It can be any book, really, but show your thanks to the teachers who make us readers.

27. Thanks for bringing history to life.

Some teachers can make any subject interesting, including history.

28. I'll never forget...

Take five minutes to think about the inside jokes or stories that any group who's spent a lot of time together will experience. The personal touch really does mean a lot.

29. You got me through until [fill in the blank].

Some subjects will remain challenging, and not every child enjoys going to school. Maybe a teacher kept things interesting enough to get you through to recess or lunch or the end of the day. That counts!

Related: Things Teachers Wish Parents Knew

30. You were always a special part of my day too.

Have your students thank those people who help in the school as well - bus drivers, lunch workers, custodial staff, administrators, paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, etc.

31. I always felt like you understood where I was coming from.

No one wants to be talked down to, or made to feel dumb. This would mean a lot coming from older students who felt like they were treated with respect.

32. Finally, science makes sense!

If a teacher is excellent at teaching their particular subject, highlight that.

33. You were more than a teacher, you were a mentor.

Again, if a particular teacher went well beyond academics, and helped you grow up a little more, thank them specifically for that.

34. I always felt safe in your classroom.

This can be because of special attention to student relationships, overall school safety, teacher trust, or an environment created by organization and decor. It's an important thing for our students to experience safety and comfort.

35. Thanks for finding me funny.

If you're known for being witty and having a great sense of humor, a joke about how much you know the teacher will miss you is completely appropriate.

36. You're one of my favorite teachers so far.

There's nothing wrong with calling a teacher "your favorite," but if you do, be specific about why. It will make their day to know the reason for being a favorite.

37. You were the best part of my day.

Maybe home life was hard this year, or you didn't like some of your other classes as much. Just knowing their classroom is somewhere you want to be will mean a lot.

38. Because of you, I better know what I want to do when I grow up.

What teacher wouldn't appreciate knowing they helped you fine-tune your natural giftings, with a particular school subject or project, in your quest to know what you might enjoy doing for a career?

39. I feel prepared for next year.

This alone is a great benchmark. If you are ready to tackle the next grade level, the next stage in life, a teacher can know theirs is a job well done.

40. We kept the critter alive!

From one animal lover to another, thank the teacher for classroom experience with a class pet.

41. On my report card, I'd give you an A.

This would make any teacher smile.

42. Muchas Gracias.

For a Spanish teacher you loved.

43. Merci beaucoup.

And for a French teacher.

44. You were always extra patient.

What qualities stood out about your teacher? Kindness, gentleness, loving, happiness, etc.

45. I couldn't spell "thank you" without you.

A favorite.

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