It’s Teacher Day in Ecuador. I wrote a personal ‘thank you’ letter to one of my High School English teachers and sent it to him in honor of this day, a couple years late but better than never I hope! I wrote another letter as well. I wrote to you on behalf of your students. You all deserve to receive a letter like this, perhaps you have or you will in the future but you deserve one today as well.
Thank you!
Good Afternoon,
I am writing to you today to say something that I, perhaps, have never said to you or any other teacher before…thank you!!
You see, I know that I don’t usually show it and I rarely (if ever) actually say it, but I really appreciate all that you do for me and my classmates. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure if I see much of that now or really appreciate it in the moment. However, I know 100% for sure that I will realize how much I appreciate you and your efforts some time in the future. It may be when I finally ace that assessment, perhaps it’s in a few years when I’m in college looking back at my High School experience, or it could be in 20 years when I’m in my mid-30s and reflecting back on my life so far. Whenever it is, I will realize it and I will appreciate all that you do (have done) for me.
I know that when I go home at night and do (or don’t do) my homework, you are putting in more time preparing to help me be successful. I realize that teachers go home at night and grade papers, correct tests, write comments, and agonize over their students. I know that when you lose your temper in class that it’s not because you don’t like me but rather because you care so much about me and my success that you’ve invested a lot of your time, effort, and emotions into me and my classmates. Thank you for all that you do to make my success such a priority, it means a lot to me (or it will someday in the future!!)
Do you remember the other day, when I came to your class and you smiled and asked me about my weekend? That was awesome, I had a great weekend and really wanted to tell someone about it. I really enjoy connecting with my teachers, it helps me learn. Someone shared a quote with me once about the relationship between teachers and students, “Students don’t care what a teacher knows until they know that their teacher cares.” Well, I know that you care about me and that is why I am invested in your class…thank you for caring!
We’ve got a holiday coming up and I don’t plan on thinking about school too much. I hope you are able to do the same, take some time away and relax. It’s hard work being a teacher, I can see that from all that you do for me. I’ve heard the jokes about teachers and all the vacation time, they’re not funny. I know that the time and effort you put in is just as much as anyone else in any other job, because you care about my success and want the best for me. During this next holiday I hope that you spend time with your family, travel, read a book, or do anything else that helps you to relax and recharge. We don’t have much longer in this school year and I know that together we will finish strong.
Thank you again and please remember that even if I don’t show it or say it now, I will certainly (some day) appreciate all that you do for me. You’re an outstanding person and an even better teacher, I’m lucky to have you in my life!
Thank you,
Your student
Pushing Forward 
Nicely said