Teacher Appreciation Letters You Want to Receive!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, my fellow educators! Having spent over 20 years in the classroom, I’m no stranger to the ups and downs of our profession. So, this week, let’s take a moment to step back from the whiteboards, put down the red pens, and let’s appreciate us — the teachers.
We don’t just teach. We inspire, we guide, and we nurture the next generation. We’ve all had that one teacher, haven’t we? The one who sparked a flame inside us, the one who believed in us. Well, now it’s our turn to take the baton and do the same for our students.
A Perspective on Teaching Today
But let’s be frank, our beloved profession has its challenges.
Few outside the classroom truly understand the trials of today’s teaching environment. From tying our curriculum to standardized testing, navigating the labyrinth of red-tape, to doing more with less due to shrinking budgets, our jobs stretch way beyond simply imparting knowledge.
Yet, every time I connect with fellow teachers, I am amazed. Amazed at the enduring love for teaching that echoes in their words, despite the hurdles. It’s like watching a dancer, gracefully maneuvering through a tricky routine, the sweat on their brow a testament to their dedication, their every move reflecting an undying passion.
Every educator I meet paints a similar picture.
They share stories of their early days, their eyes lighting up as they recount how they’d always wanted to teach, to make a big difference in a young person’s life. Despite the increasing demands and pressures of the job, it’s heartening to know that at the heart of it all, their love for teaching remains unscathed.
Teacher Appreciation Week: Our Moment in the Sun
This week, it’s time to place teachers on the pedestal they deserve. Yes, we are talking about Teacher Appreciation Week – that special time of year when everyone is encouraged to express gratitude for the teachers in their lives. It’s an opportunity for parents, students, and administrators alike to express their thanks in a variety of ways – through heartfelt notes, kind words, or maybe a handmade gift.
It’s wonderful to see parents and students putting their creativity into action. From handwritten notes of appreciation to fun activities organized in classrooms to show teachers they’re valued. Some kids might even offer gifts like coffee mugs scribbled with ‘Best Teacher’ – simple, yet so touching.
Why Expressing Gratitude Matters
In a profession where our efforts often go unnoticed, a little appreciation can go a long way. You see, as teachers, we invest countless hours into our students, going the extra mile to help each child excel. We wear many hats – we are educators, mentors, guides, and sometimes, even friends to our students.
We influence not only their school year but their future careers as well. We shape young minds, inspire them to follow their dreams, and leave an indelible impact on their lives. Yet, our work often unfolds behind the scenes. That’s why a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ can make a world of difference, not just during Teacher Appreciation Week, but all year round.
An appreciation letter from a parent, for instance, recognizing the positive impact we’ve had on their child, brings immense satisfaction. It fuels our dedication and reaffirms our passion for teaching. Even a simple ‘Thank You’ note from a student can make our day.
It’s a validation of our hard work, and it reminds us why we do what we do.
A Peek into Our World: The Life of a Teacher
The life of a teacher is far more complex than what meets the eye.
Beyond the lessons we teach, we are committed to making a big difference in the lives of our students. Our classrooms are spaces of inspiration, learning, and growth, but they are also the settings for many unseen challenges.
The reality is, teaching is a demanding profession.
From fulfilling administrative requirements to managing large classes, we juggle numerous responsibilities. We often find ourselves working long hours, preparing lesson plans during the weekends, grading papers late into the night, and spending our own money on supplies. And while we love our students dearly, balancing the needs of every single child, along with their parents’ expectations, can be taxing.
That’s why it can be disheartening when others trivialize our profession or fail to understand the breadth of our responsibilities.
But here’s the thing, every challenge we face, every late night spent preparing, is worth it for the light bulb moments, for the smiles on our students’ faces when they grasp a new concept, and for the chance to guide them towards a bright future.
Here Are Some Teacher Appreciation Letters You Probably Won’t Receive…. But SHOULD!!!
If there’s one thing I’d wish for this Teacher Appreciation Week, it’s for everyone to take a moment to walk in our shoes. To really understand what we, as teachers, go through each day. It’s an invitation to express gratitude, not just through a thank-you letter but also through understanding and respect.
From the Has-No-Idea Parent:
Dear Teacher,
Thank you so much for your amazing dedication to my child. Thank you for taking my calls and maintaining a polite demeanor even when I call you several times a week, in the evening, on your home phone. I appreciate you for promptly and patiently answering my long and often rude emails. Thank you for listening to my concerns and meeting my needs to the best of your abilities. Thanks for politely declining my suggestions when they are not actually in the best interest of my child or her classmates.
Thank you for taking extra time with my child, even when he is part of a class of 36 other students. Thank you for doing so much more than the “babysitting” that I tell all of my friends you are doing. Thank you for spending your evenings and weekends grading papers, planning lessons, and creating materials for my child. Thank you for spending your money on classroom supplies that I should be providing. Thank you so very much for dedicating the better part of nine months of your life to my child.
Sincerely,
Parent
From the Unrealistic Administrator:
Dear Teacher,
Thank you for continuing to take on more and more unpaid responsibilities that I continue to heap on your shoulders. Thank you for filling out all of my paperwork, meeting all of my requirements (even the stupid ones), and attending a plethora of endless and often useless staff meetings. Thank you for dealing with my surprise visits to your classroom. Thank you for submitting detailed, common core aligned lesson plans each week. Thank you for finding creative ways to deal with the extremely limited number of copies I allow you to make and resources that I provide. Thank you for continuing to treat me politely when what you really want to say to me would not be at all pleasant. Thank you for persevering in this negative environment, which I have had a major hand in creating, so that your students thrive and our school gets good test results.
Sincerely,
Administrator
From the Has-Never-Stepped-Foot-In-A-Classroom Politician:
Dear Teacher,
Even though I myself have never taught in a classroom, thank you for implementing all of my policies, regulations, and tests, that in most cases, do not accomplish the goal for which they were created, and in fact waste your extremely valuable time. Thank you for forgoing field trips,eliminating recess, and dropping most of the fun, creative, and inspiring parts of your curriculum so that you can spend that time prepping your students for the standardized tests I am requiring them to take each and every year. Thank you for continuing to teach to the best of your ability, despite the fact that I have lowered your pay and cut your benefits.
Sincerely,
Politician
From the Yet-to-Understand Tax Payer:
Dear Teacher,
Thank you for giving our nation’s children the skills they will need to thrive in our ever-changing world. Thank you for continuing to work in conditions that are less than optimal and sometimes downright dangerous. Even though I have demonized your profession and blame you (rather than poverty, abusive and neglectful parents, etc.) when children fail in school, I still appreciate that you are working to find new approaches and learn new strategies to help these children succeed. Thanks also for all of the things you teach our children that are not part of the academic curriculum such as accountability, perseverance, compassion, and citizenship. I appreciate that your influence has helped many at-risk young people to turn their lives around and become productive members of our society.
Sincerely,
Tax Payer
An Open Letter: An Invitation to Understand and Appreciate
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I invite you, dear reader, to participate in an exercise.
Consider the life of your child’s teacher, or that special teacher who made a big difference in your own life. Write a thank you letter to them, real or imagined. Take a moment to truly reflect on their dedication and hard work, on their positive impact on students’ lives, and on the challenges they face every day.
Here’s a letter template to get you started:
Dear [Teacher’s Name],
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the work you do each day. It takes an amazing teacher to guide and inspire students, and your passion for education does not go unnoticed.
Your dedication to creating a nurturing and supportive classroom environment has had a significant impact on my [child’s life/my life]. The lessons you’ve taught, both academic and life lessons, are invaluable.
I know that teaching is more than a job for you. It’s a calling that requires immense patience, constant learning, and ceaseless hard work. You’ve gone the extra mile, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
With gratitude,
[Your Name]
Great post. Soooo many true points. 🙂
Growing Firsties is having a Pete the Cat Giveaway that benefits Hurricane Sandy Relief!"
Thank you for validating how I might feel on any given day!
Trisha
This post is sad but true. I have watched year after year the teacher being portrayed as the bad guy. Thanks for boldly putting a much needed reality check out there for the people who need it the most.
Thank you so much for saying what we all,unfortunately, know is true.
Standing up applauding.
~Stephanie
Teaching in Room 6
I am so glad that you actually put into print what the world needs to hear. I love teaching, but I hate seeing that my son will enter the profession in just a year and a half.
As a parent, that made me tear up a little bit. I've been planning on emailing the principal at my childrens school to let him know how much I appreciate his staff. I will definitely do this tomorrow morning. I make sure I tell the teachers how much I appreciate all their hard work but after reading this, I think I'll tell them a little more often. Thank you!!!!
Thank you for boldly putting into words that many teachers feel regularly. I wish we could take your words and shout it from the mountain tops!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this, Rachel! Thank-YOU so much – this was exactly what I needed this week (oh, who am I kidding … this year!).
Jen
Runde's Room
Amen….So Glad you wrote it b/c I've felt way too much joy has been sucked out of teaching…like a little more each year. This is my 12th year. I often wonder if I can make it to retirement? We shall see!
Thank you!! If any of those mentioned would take the time to follow a teacher for an entire week (at school and at home) maybe they would realize what we sacrifice to educate their children.
Wow thanks soo much for putting into words what many of us feel on those days when we just dont know how much more we can take. I love teaching & your great resources make my life a little easier:)
Thanks, Rachel, for validating our feelings! In my 35 years of teaching, I've seen the work load grow and grow, while the paychecks and the respect diminish. Unfortunately, I've known all the people you listed.
Sally from Elementary Matters
Thank you…. just…. thank you! I quit 2 years ago and never looked back for ALL of the reasons you mentioned! The only thing I can say is that at least my principal was a really good one and I knew that a lot of the ridiculous policies came down from the damn politicians (the data, the meetings, the data meetings, etc.) or from top admin. No more spending thousands a year on books and supplies and being told I don't have a wide enough variety of 7th grade level books for Mama's little 2nd grade genius. No more watching kids bawl their eyes out because they missed their goal on those stupid frickin' speed reading tests (DIBELS, anyone?) by one word, even though they can run circles around the "top" readers when it comes to comprehension. No more being beaten up because a kid went from reading 0 words per minute at a 1st grade level to reading 45 in 3 months at a 3rd grade level, but it isn't good enough because she wouldn't reach the end-of-year goal for 4th graders. Screw all of it! Like I said… never looking back. Sad, but true.
You hit the nail of the head Rachel! I loved the way you said it too. Very creative!
Thank you Rachel! True, but also entertaining to read!
Wow!!! Thank you! We are trying so hard to stay positive. When we say those things it just sounds like whining and no one really wants to listen.
Fabulous post!
~April Walker
ideabackpack.blogpot.com
Hi!
I'm a Spanish teacher and I can tell you it's the same here 🙁
If you don't mind, I'll translate your post into Spanish so that my friends could read it.
Hi Margarita,
I would love for you to translate the post! Please just remember to keep my name attached to it (and a link to the original post if you are posting online). Thanks!
Rachel
Ahhh! That was lovely!
So many of my peers who are wonderful teachers fantasize about leaving the profession because of all the "stuff" and the continually escalating finger pointing…myself included. Many are trying to find a way to actually do it. It's very sad, especially when we all actually enjoy the teaching part and are good at it!
Ah, the life of a teacher….thanks for the great post!
I'm also participating in Charity's giveaway and I wanted to stop by and say "hi!"
Maria
Kinder-Craze
Awesome! =)
Awesome. =)
I actually just talked to a principal today who said that last year 185 staff members left their district. Seventy-five of those were retirements, with roughly 40 of those people choosing to take early retirement. The other 110 were people leaving the profession OR leaving the state to go somewhere with higher pay. Thanks for writing this!
Great post and oh, so true. I am looking to leave this job, which I used to love, because of all the reasons stated. Perhaps the only missing element is the thank you to the school board for requiring even more 21st century learners be produced in a classroom with NO computers! Ugh 🙁
Thanks so much for posting. I wish I could share or repin but sadly in MI a my publicly voiced OPINION can get me fired.
Thank you so much. This says so much about today's education. I've been doing this for 40 years and I'm tired. Not tired of teaching, but tired of all the other nonsense that goes with it. The pressure is starting to show and I don't know if I'll stay much longer. Makes me sad.
Thank you, Rachel, for saying what many of us think as we encounter these people every day!
And yes, this is why I will never go back into the classroom despite my desperately missing the teaching part of my teaching job!
Michele