Dear Teacher,
Every weekday for the past nine months, you have been a central figure in the life of my child. When the school year started, my child was so excited to meet the teacher. Then they met you and you became their world. They would come home and tell me things like, "My teachers says..." or come to ask me a question and say, "Mrs....oh, I mean Mom." I know my child did that to you too, calling you Mom because it happened to me a lot when I was a teacher.
I am their mother. I am their home. I care for their basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, love, and other needs and wants. But you are also a key component in their development. They are with you for more than a thousand hours of their year.
I am so glad they got you as their teacher. Every year I worry that their teacher won't be the right fit for them. I know that most teachers and most kids can manage fine and everything will work out, with a few bumps here and there, but I also know that sometimes, the teacher and the child do not match. Personalities clash and it makes for a hard, long school year. More than one of my children have had such a teacher, but we teach them to persevere and get through it and hopefully they learn about getting along with others along the way. I'm glad that this year, they had the right fit.
Now, as the school year comes to an end, I reflect on how much they've grown and how you've been a part of that, and I become a little sad. I realize what a great experience the year has been for them and I'm sad that it's over. I'm sad that you are no longer their teacher. I realize that through the year, I have developed a relationship of trust with you and a little part of me grieves at the thought that it is over. I want you to know all that you have done to help my child progress has been wonderful. I will miss you as my child's teacher.
Every year at the end, I find myself sad for these reasons. I wish you the best, I truly do. I always feel even more sad if I learn of your retirement from teaching, or that you are moving to another school. But I also understand that you must do what is right for you.
Thank you for being my child's teacher. Thank you for the work you have done and will do. I don't think a personalized cup for teacher appreciation week is enough to let you know of my appreciation. I'm not a great gift-giver and can't ever think of anything that would really express that gratitude. So I write this heartfelt letter instead for you to know what you have meant to my family this year.
Sincerely,
Your student's mother
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