51 Teachers Share the Best Thank-You Notes They’ve Ever Received

Ah yes. This is why we do what we do.

Two handwritten thank you notes to teachers from students.

We’ve almost made it to the end of the year! Students and parents alike start to share their appreciation in the form of coffee mugs, plants, and thank-you notes! We asked our community to send us the best teacher thank-you notes they’ve ever received from students, both past and present. Check out some of our favorites.

1. The Ultimate Compliment

You were my inspiration to becoming a history teacher thank you notes

Here’s a text that would make any educator’s day or even their year. Teacher Nancy R. received this message out of the blue: “You were my inspiration to becoming a history teacher.”

2. Message in a Bottle

You will be mist.

Some notes are short and to-the-point, like the note this teacher received: “You will be mist.”

3. Super Poster!

Teacher thank you notes and appreciation poster!

Rachel K.’s class made her a superhero!

4. An Entire Story

Teacher appreciation book

Jenni C.W.’s student made an entire storybook for her.

5. All the Reasons!

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Teacher appreciation note

Megan B. shares one of our favorite teacher thank-you notes. It says “You gave me all the reasons to dream big and all the resources to achieve it.”

6. Keeping It Real

teacher thank you notes for the random orange tickets that I never really understood the reason for, but knew they meant I did something good.

Melody S. has students who tell it like it is. One wrote: “Thank you for being patient and kind when I was being restless and unteachable.” Another wrote: “Thank you for the random orange tickets that I never really understood the reason for, but knew they meant I did something good.”

7. Aha Moments

“When you teach it feels like I’m not learning anything, but once you get done teaching, I realize I have learned something.

You have to get a chuckle out of teacher thank-you notes that end like the one from Carolyn O.’s student: “When you teach it feels like I’m not learning anything, but once you get done teaching, I realize I have learned something. You are a better teacher than you think.”

8. The Cutest Comparisons

You make my day shine like millions of snowflakes

Some notes capture classroom sentiments with the sweetest similes: “You make my day shine like millions of snowflakes,” from Rachel C.

9. You Light Me Up!

You light me up like the Fourth of July

“You light me up like the Fourth of July,” from Lisa S.

10. Through Their Eyes

She so happy and proud of me teacher thank you notes

It’s teacher thank-you notes like this—“She so happy and proud of me”—that fill Vicky R.’s “Have a Nice Day” file.

11. Sweet Treats!

M&Ms and a sticky note for a teacher thank you

Shonda J. shares this note that was included with a bag of M&Ms. “Thank you so much for the effort you put into teaching everyone including me.”

12. Caring About Success

Teacher Appreciation Note

Dana S. shares this amazing note from a student. “You opened my eyes to what I could be and what I could do, what I thought was not possible. I still remember how much you cared about our success. You’ve changed my whole aspect on learning. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you or your encouragement and persistence.”

13. Dragon Drawing

Drawing of a dragon for a teacher thank you notes

Sarah L. was having a rotten day when a student handed her this and said, “I made this dragon just for you.”

14. Written in Plaster

Mrs. M is Da Bom!

Abigail M. says, “Found this note written in the plaster dust after an experiment.”

15. Being Prepared

Teacher schedule written out by a student

Sabiha H. says, “Hands down, that quote about teachers coming even though they know what to expect really hit me hard at the time. It was better than a gift 🖤.”

16. The Kids Know!

teacher thank you notes

Haley N. shares this note that says “I would like you to know you are a pretty cool teacher. You can snap at some points but it’s okay ’cause we make you like that.”

17. Balloons and Rainbows

teacher thank you notes

Sarah V. shares this adorable note that says “I love how you love me too.”

18. Notes From the Past

Text to a teacher saying thank you

Lori S. shares this text she received from a student over a decade later.

19. The Highest Accolade

You are the greatest 3rd grade teacher in the history of the world.

Sherry B.’s student took her compliment seriously: “You are the greatest 3rd grade teacher in the history of the world.”

20. Get Well

Teacher thank you notes to get well

It’s always nice to know that students are thinking of you even when you’re away.

Source: @heyashleyg

21. Bilingual Appreciation

Teacher thank you note on Spanish skills

Who doesn’t love when they notice even the little things like “it is so cool that you speak Spanish.”

Source: @kinderbilingue101

22. Complimenting the Dog

A student who appreciates the dog

It just got personal. “I think your dog looks beautiful and wonderful.”

Source: @thecutesyclass

23. First-Day Memories

When it was the first day, I was thinking you guys would be strict, but I was wrong!

Some teacher thank-you notes take us back to the first days of school, like the note to Laoiseach U.: “When it was the first day, I was thinking you guys would be strict, but I was wrong!”

24. Promises

You are my perfect teacher. See you in September.

Many student notes come with promises, like the could-be-ominous note that Donna M. received: “You are my perfect teacher. See you in September.” While Christina O.’s student promised to keep in touch: “I will always remember you and everything about you that is unique in each and every way. Trust me, you will be getting lots of letters from me.”

25. Hard-Won Successes

I want to thank you for everything you have taught me.

One of Ryan G.’s favorite teacher thank-you notes came with reminders of hard-won successes: “I want to thank you for everything you have taught me. I know I could have been a knucklehead at some points in your classroom … but you would get on me for the better.”

26. Last-Day Memories

I will miss you more than anything!

Other notes make us sad for last days, like this note to third-grade teacher Ashley S.: “I will miss you more than anything!”

27. The Unexpected

Thanks for keeping me unrotton.

Sometimes you keep teacher thank-you notes not because of the eloquence but because of who they’re from. Take this note Nikki C. received from one of her difficult students: “Thanks for keeping me unrotten.”

28. Objective-Based

Here are some words that describe the best 4th grade teacher on God’s earth.

Some notes put lessons—like how to list adjectives—into place, like the note that Kelly C. received: “Here are some words that describe the best 4th grade teacher on God’s earth: nice, friendly, smart, intelligent, brave, decorative, funny, hardworking, fearless, amazing, awesome, magnificent, determined.”

29. All About the Sentiment

Teacher thank you notes about penmanship.

There are definitely notes that are more about sentiment than penmanship, like this one to Kelly D.

30. Long-Range Planning

Please keep being your lovely self forever until we’re all old grannies and grandpas.

Brandy V. was blown away by this note that asked her to “Please keep being your lovely self forever until we’re all old grannies and grandpas.”

31. Classes to Remember

You teach super kids and many more.

Laura S. appreciated this note: “You teach super kids and many more.”

32. The Thinkers

A teacher learns as much from her student as she taught them.

There are teacher thank-you notes that tell us how our students view our jobs. Melissa M. got a kick out of this note: “What I’m trying to say is that you know that saying that goes: ‘A teacher learns as much from her student as she taught them.’ I think that if that’s true, you must have learned thousands of things from us because you taught us so many things.”

33. New Lenses

You look like a princess when you teach.

Notes can show us how students see us. Who doesn’t want to be seen like Nelida H.’s student saw her? “You look like a princess when you teach.”

34. Milestone Memories

I read my first book all by myself.

There are teacher thank-you notes that come after milestones that we’ll remember too: “I read my first book all by myself,” wrote Patti H’s. student.

35. The Goal

The way you shaped me as a student in a younger age is what makes me successful today

Back to the ultimate goal, from Renee H.H.’s student: “The way you shaped me as a student in a younger age is what makes me successful today.”

36. Creating Readers

Still of thank you note for teacher teaching3rdwithmrg Instagram

Turning non-readers into readers. “I honestly did not like reading, but you made it so much more fun.”

Source: @teaching3rdwithmrg

37. Sweeter Than Sweet

We love you as you love us

It’s obvious why Melissa M. kept this heart-shaped note: “We love you as you love us.”

38. Make My Day

I’m not a school fan, but every morning that I come to school I know I can see your face and smile and you make my day.

There’s nothing better than the teacher thank-you notes that remind you of exactly how your students see you. Like this note from Stephanie K.: “I’m not a school fan, but every morning that I come to school I know I can see your face and smile and you make my day.”

39. The Best Refrigerator Art

You do everything nice and sweet. You really are a treat.

Colorful notes make the best displays, like this one from Sandra C.: “You do everything nice and sweet. You really are a treat.”

40. The Ones Who Never Leave Our Side

Teacher appreciation and thank you notes

Jen W. has a fridge full of notes from a student who missed her, even when they were sitting in the same classroom.

41. Showing the Love

Teacher thank you notes

Ashley C. shares this incredibly heartwarming note from a student. How sweet!

42. Growth From Pain

Student note for teacher appreciation

You never know what kids are going through, and Ann C. shared this amazing note from a former student that emphasizes the importance of always being kind.

43. Finding Peace

This student sent Barbara G. a note to let her know just how much she helped her feel safe, secure, and reassured during a difficult moment.

44. “You Add an Awesome Touch”

Teacher thank you notes

This is one of the sweetest teacher thank-you notes! Brooke B. shared this message from a student who wanted to let her know how much she’s changed their life.

45. When Class Feels Like a Party

Your class has always been such a party thank you note for teacher

Presley B. shared this great note from a student who clearly had a lot of fun learning in her class that year.

46. Radiant Vibes

Thank you note for math teacher

Erika D. brought her fun “vibes” to the classroom and made learning even complex math questions fun and exciting for this student.

47. Embracing Diversity

Thank you to note to a teacher written by a Chinese student.

This student in Cheryl R.’s class showed appreciation for this teacher’s interest in her Chinese culture as well as how she helped her learn in the classroom. Fantastic!

48. A Bright Future

Thank you for math teacher

This student let Emily W. know that she not only helped them love math again but helped shaped their future career.

49. It’s the Little Things

Student note for teacher appreciation

Colleen B. shared this note from a student who loved spending time with her this year. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the biggest impact.

50. Get Into the Groove

Thank you notes for teachers

Amanda E.C. shared this note from a student who appreciated their similar musical tastes.

51. Making a Difference

Teacher appreciation note from student

Tori M.’s student let her know that her patience and dedication in the classroom are “making a big difference in the world.” Isn’t that the best thing you could say to a teacher?!

What are your favorite teacher thank-you notes? Share with us in the comments below!

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These teacher thank-you notes will make you break out the tissues (and laugh a little). Hey I'm not crying, you're crying!