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Teacher Appreciation Week

One great teacher can make all the difference. Teachers may not always see the impact of their work on kids and families, but the testimonies we received from parents, teachers, and students themselves are proof that good teaching is a powerful thing.

Read these notes for inspiration – then send an e-card to a teacher who has made a difference in your life.

Click below for:

Notes of Appreciation

A good teacher gives kids two invaluable gifts: the tools they need to learn, and the drive to want to learn. Discover how great teachers around the country have put these gifts into action.

From parents

Ms. Bushman is a "creator" in my son's life because she created a young man who can from a teenager who doubted. She replaced the nonreader with a soon-to-be graduate that can read.
– Sandy

Mr. Zukoski's encouragement has given my son the confidence and the space to be creative, develop his confidence, and enjoy writing.
– Susan

Mrs. Bengals told my daughter that "she makes her heart shine." What a wonderful thing to say to a child.
– Jennifer

I have seen my daughter open up like a flower that had blossomed because of the love, guidance, and encouragement given by Mrs. Harris.
– Barbara

Mrs. Ohland did the unthinkable… she had my son read comic book novels. He will now read almost one book a day.
– Jaylene

Ms. Johnson taught all of my children when they were three years old, and gave my kids the best foundation in the learning process that I could ever hope for.
– Lecia

Mrs. McApline helped my daughter to overcome her fear to interact in English, and kept communicating with the mainstream classroom teacher in order to help her understand my daughter's learning process as an ESOL student. I will be thankful forever.
– Kattia

I warned Mrs. Graham of my son's background before the first day of school, and she said, "Thanks, but for now, let's be optimistic and see how things go." She is clear and structured in her approach, but also warm and creative. My son is learning to read and LOVES going to school.
– Jennie

Angela stepped into a chaotic classroom last summer. Her ability to approach any problem with warmth and positive encouragement changed the entire dynamic. She helped my son discover abilities he didn't know he had, and to keep trying to learn the skills he hadn't mastered yet. I hope she has the opportunity to touch many other families the way that she touched ours.
– Andrea

Thanks to Mr. Corridor for turning my son around.
– Michelle

Mr. Myers is one of those rare teachers who is endlessly kind yet firm, patient, organized, and above all, accepting of his students' many differences as individual learners. He listens to his students, makes his expectations of them crystal clear, and makes sure they know that he believes they all can meet his expectations.

Finally, Mr. Myers does something that's far more difficult than it sounds: he walks alongside parents as a partner. He has never made us feel that he's judging us for having a child who takes a little extra time, creativity, and flexibility. He doesn't look for easy answers or quick fixes, or try to pass on the responsibility of reaching our son to someone else. If that means he needs to ask for some new technology for his classroom, he's at the meeting explaining the research he's done and how he'll use the new equipment.

He's a lifelong learner – just the kind of model of learning I want my son imitating.
– Amy

Miss Ishimaru makes learning fun by incorporating a lot of rhyming and singing when teaching the children their letters and sounds. She plays games with them to teach them math and science. She has taken my son from being a non-reader to someone who is now reading, and truly enjoying it!

She is also very accommodating to parents. If ever I drop in to ask how my son is doing she never makes me feel as though I am being a bother. She is always patient with me and will often take out his work to show me his progress.
– Erica

Mrs. May recognized my daughter's challenges and was always reassuring in her message and tone. She kept the expectations high for my daughter, and has shown her different paths she can take to reach the goals established.

Above all and most significant is that Mrs. May has instilled in my daughter a real love of learning. She's always the first one up on school days, and at pick-up, she jumps happily from topic to topic about what she did during her school day. This does not happen to all children who are learning challenged – although it can and should.
– Judy

From students

My teacher always helps me even when I have a hard time listening. I am thankful for her and learning to read.
– David

Mrs. Solar has made a difference in our lives and will be one of those teachers you remember for life.
– Gina

Mr. Dunning changed my mind about school. I always thought it was boring and now I don't think it's that bad anymore.
– Joshua

Mr. Chatland is the only teacher I have ever had who was able to make me look forward to class every day.
– Ashley

Mrs. Thompson goes beyond what is necessary for any teacher to do.
– Amanda

Mrs. Brush made me want to go to school and she always had my back. After graduating second grade, she always kept in touch. She saved my life, saved me from all my problems back then. Eight years later, I still think about her often and will never be able to repay her the way I would wish.
– Tasha

Mrs. Scheidigger makes you feel good about coming to school every morning. She welcomes you with a smile and she asks how it's going.
– Sean

Mrs. Massaro never gives up on anybody.
– Dylan

When I started Mr. Lalonde's class, I was quiet, tried not to ask questions, and just plain tried to stay out of his way. He may seem harsh or mean sometimes, but he taught me how to stand up and speak for myself. By the end of the year, I was openly asking questions and wasn't afraid to approach him about things.
– Melissa

From teachers themselves, remembering those who inspired them

I remember the night my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Borsavage, called my house to tell my parents how hard I was working to learn my multiplication tables. As she talked to my mom, my dad had me at the kitchen table waiting to scold me for what I must have done wrong. I remember him telling me that teachers only call when you do something wrong – not Mrs. Borsavage. My dad was so proud when my mom hung up the phone and told him all of the positive things my teacher had to say about me.

As a teacher, I try to be the Mrs. Borsavage to each of my students.
– Dawn

Mr. Harris allowed me to read during class because he said that some people need to do two things at once to learn. This was in the 50s, way before ADHD was recognized.
– Mary

Mrs. Williams' class learned not only to have tolerance for one another, but also to appreciate one another for the gifts they had to offer. This was in the 70s, before we were teaching character education as a subject.
– Jeannine

When I was in 5th grade, I had just transferred from across the country and wasn't very good at making friends. Mrs. Reed unknowingly make it a lot easier for me to adjust to this new place, new people, and new way of life. She is the one who inspired me to become a teacher.
– Vinny

Author/Illustrator Video Interviews§

Patricia Polacco

The Teacher Who Changed Everything (2:00)
Patricia Polacco recalls the day her teacher discovered her dyslexia and, with dignity and compassion, gave her the support she needed to overcome it.

Listen to more from Patricia Polacco >>

Tomie dePaola

Real Artists Don't Copy (2:00)
Tomie dePaola recounts with remarkable clarity the true story that inspired his popular book, The Art Lesson, and why his art teacher became his hero.

Listen to more from Tomie dePaola >>

Bruce Degan

Painting Privileges (0:40)
Bruce Degan talks about a teacher who encouraged his artistic skills and inspired him to pursue an art career.

Listen to more from Bruce Degan >>

William Joyce

Teachers (1:00)
William Joyce explains why he credits certain grade school teachers with his successful career path.

Listen to more from William Joyce >>

Bill Martin, Jr.

If You're Going to Be a Writer, You've Got to Be a Reader (1:45)
Bill Martin, Jr. recounts how a professor showed faith in him to pursue a writing career, and gave him six books to begin his journey.

Listen to more from Bill Martin, Jr. >>

Find many more author interviews in Reading Rockets' Books and Authors section.

Stories From the Heart

Taking a Personal Interest

Jesús Yáñez is a paraprofessional who works with ESL students at South St. Paul High School in Minnesota. A native of Mexico, Mr. Yáñez can relate to the wonder of students from southern climates who have never before seen snow, as well as the bewilderment of students enrolled in classes that are conducted in another language.

Bringing National Resources to a Local Level

Deborah Wilkes grew up on the outskirts of Nottingham, England, in the shadow of Sherwood Forest. While she doesn't claim inspiration from the Robin Hood legend, she does spend a great deal of time helping others. Named North Carolina's "Migrant Teacher of the Year" in 2003, Ms. Wilkes teaches English as a Second Language in Sanford, North Carolina, and is also the lead teacher for the county's two middle schools and high schools.

Using Technology to Create a Visual Learning Environment

The needs, struggles, and achievements of English language learners are diverse and unique; understanding them is not always easy for educators. However, some educators were ELLS themselves and therefore have a bit of insiders' knowledge. Such is the case of Alma Milan, a certified ESL teacher at Kosciuszko Middle School.

Inventing Superheroes and Writing About Their Adventures

All teachers want their students to achieve excellence in school and in life, and in this quest, they often achieve excellence themselves. How about achieving super-hero status? That is exactly what Cassandra Lawrence (aka "Book Woman") and her fourth grade class did!

Visit Colorin Colorado's Achieving Success section for more From the Heart stories.

First Person Essays

A Letter to My Grandmother

A teacher helps a child improve her handwriting through writing poetry.

Catherine Cat Kelly and the Holiday Kids

A teacher uses the dramatic arts to improve children's creativity and academic skills.

My First Day in Adult Special Education

A man describes a compassionate adult education teacher who helps him overcome his fears.

The Story of My Son

A mother describes a positive educational experience for her son that included many good teachers.

For more stories describe first-hand experiences with the challenges of learning disabilities and ADHD visit LD OnLine's First Person section.

Send an e-card


e-card illustration

Has a particular teacher gone the extra mile to help your child? Do you have a colleague that you think is a great teacher? Did a teacher inspire you to discover your talents, overcome challenges, or find a career path?

Show your gratitude with our Teacher Appreciation e-card and let them know that they made a difference in your life. This card features an illustration by Henry Cole.

§ To play this clip, you'll need a copy of the free RealOne Player. Most computers already have it installed, or you can download it now.

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Find out what it really takes to turn our schools around with this PBS special narrated by Morgan Freeman called 'A Tale of Two Schools.' Go to store.