Another year comes to pass and your child is older, stronger, taller and getting ready for the hurdles of the next academic year. What better way to wind up this school year than writing a letter to your child’s teacher, under whose watchful patience your child has grown, learned and flourished so much. Show the teachers the gratitude and admiration you have for them, for the attention they gave your child, and for being very important role models for them. Here are a few things to keep in mind while writing this letter.
Ask your child
Ask your child about the teacher; what the teacher did for them, how they fulfilled your child’s individual learning needs, what your child likes about their teacher. All these things need a good thankyou from your end, and including them in your letter will surely bring a smile to that teacher’s face, knowing that their efforts were acknowledged and appreciated. It’s these little things they do that have such a positively big effect on our children.
Ask about your child
We all know a good thankyou is in order. Take this opportunity to ask the teacher about what difficulties your child faced this past school year, and what you they can do to prepare for the next. It’s often said a teacher knows your child, and all children in general, better than you yourself do. Teachers will be able to guide you through the harsh transition at the end of the year easily, due to the vast experience they have accumulated over the years.
Ask in place of your child
There are many things your children wish to say to their teachers, but are too shy or don’t know how to put in words. You, being their parent, can sense that pretty well. Ask your child if they have anything to say, or any questions to ask, and mention that in your letter. They’re going to have a new teacher now, and they’ll be seeing their old one much less. Let them know you and your child will miss them.
Use this end-of-year letter from a parent to a teacher as a sample, which you can tailor as you need:
End of Year Letter from Parent to Teacher
May 29, 2017
Latonya D. Vanmatre
Science Teacher
Summer County Middle School
933 Allison Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23502
Dear MS Latonya:
I hope you’re feeling better after having sprained your ankle during that student-teacher end-of-year baseball match. But, I’m glad you’d pitched that idea. It was such a nice way to end the year.
Allie is all grown up now, and it’s hard to believe that she was the same tiny stuttering tween who was thrusted into your care last year. I want to thank you for giving her the opportunity to contribute to class discussions and to speak openly. You have really done wonders for her personality; she’s so confident now.
I particularly wanted you to know she’s formed a deep love for science, and she says it’s all because of the passion she saw in your eyes when you would tell them about the wonders of the Universe.
After summer ends she will be in eighth grade; her last year in middle school. She has grown up in the blink of an eye. What should she be ready for? I heard there are twice the assignments and half the fun, is that true? Would her friends be in the same homeroom? I know there will be an orientation at the beginning of the school year, but I’d like to start preparations now, in the vacations, so your help would be appreciated.
Allie wanted me to let you know that you’re her favorite teacher, and that science is her favorite subject now. My husband and I are very grateful, thank you so much for all you have done.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Stephanie Campbell
Allie’s mother