This is the week—May 3–7—and now is the time, time to acknowledge and celebrate!
Think back. What gift do you remember from a special teacher: Praise? Training? Comfort? Direction? Even discipline? And then ask yourself, “Does the teacher even know how I benefited from the experience and that I appreciated it?” This week offers you an ideal opportunity to sit down with pen and paper and let the teacher know.
Of course, on the Internet, you can find hundreds of canned ways to communicate: buy a card, email a card, copy a poem. However, nothing trumps authenticity.
Saying thank you on paper makes a powerful impact in our telephone, email culture. These simple guidelines will let you create a truly effective letter.
1. Be specific, not merely general, in your celebration or thanks.
Think back. What gift do you remember from a special teacher: Praise? Training? Comfort? Direction? Even discipline? And then ask yourself, “Does the teacher even know how I benefited from the experience and that I appreciated it?” This week offers you an ideal opportunity to sit down with pen and paper and let the teacher know.
Of course, on the Internet, you can find hundreds of canned ways to communicate: buy a card, email a card, copy a poem. However, nothing trumps authenticity.
Saying thank you on paper makes a powerful impact in our telephone, email culture. These simple guidelines will let you create a truly effective letter.
1. Be specific, not merely general, in your celebration or thanks.
Not: You were a wonderful teacher.
Rather: Do you remember when you told me I really had talent and you looked forward to reading about my successes?
2. Share how the issue made you feel.
2. Share how the issue made you feel.
Because you believed in me, I began to believe in myself and envision new possibilities.
3. Identify the positive impact on you—immediate or long-term.
3. Identify the positive impact on you—immediate or long-term.
I began to work with more purpose and actually began to enjoy studying harder. Looking back, I can see that’s when my self esteem began to increase. And now my dream has come true! I am enclosing an invitation to my first show (or a copy of my book), etc.
Of course, the outcome may not be so dramatic, and it could be many little things that you remember and appreciate. If the teacher is still employed, send a copy to the chair of the department, the principal, the dean, etc.
Please believe that your letter will be a “You made my day” event and will be preserved. In fact, you may be surprised how many others hear about it. You’ll be glad you took the time!
Here's a related tip:
This “recipe” works for all sorts of “good-will” letters: thanks, congratulations, and compliments! They are good-will letters because that is what they will generate for you: lots of good will!
Of course, the outcome may not be so dramatic, and it could be many little things that you remember and appreciate. If the teacher is still employed, send a copy to the chair of the department, the principal, the dean, etc.
Please believe that your letter will be a “You made my day” event and will be preserved. In fact, you may be surprised how many others hear about it. You’ll be glad you took the time!
Here's a related tip:
This “recipe” works for all sorts of “good-will” letters: thanks, congratulations, and compliments! They are good-will letters because that is what they will generate for you: lots of good will!
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