Teaching 4th Grade
I was looking through the Back to School issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine and came across an idea from Becky Higgins that struck a chord with me. When I taught elementary school I always received many thank yous from students and parents at the end of the year and that felt great. But Becky put a spin on that idea and decided to give her children’s teachers a thank you note at the beginning of the year – thanks in advance for a great year.
I have thought a lot about that since I read the magazine and have decided that it is a far more effective tool of building positive relationships with a teacher than one might first imagine. Setting an expectation that you are going to have a great year with a teacher can actually help you get closer to achieving that great year than anything else. By giving a thank you like this in the beginning, you are telling yourself, your child and the teacher that what is to come will be positive. You are telling the teacher that you support them and recognize what they are doing for your child.
All in all, this idea of “thanks in advance” becomes of tool for building the kind of relationship that each parent hopes for with their child’s teacher.
So that is my download today – a “thank you in advance” label in traditional school colors that you can use on a card for a teacher. Or simply trim around it and it becomes a flat card on it’s own with no other work involved. Jot a note on the back and you’re done.
And as I have thought about this principle of pre-thanking, I have decided that there are many other situations that would also benefit from establishing a foundation of gratitude. Any time we work with someone else toward a common goal we are more effective. Why not thank your spouse or partner in advance for something they will do that is important to your family? How about thanking your children before they clean their room or make good choices as a way to encourage them to make it happen? What about thanking a neighbor for the support and memories that you will share in the future? So I am also giving you other color versions of this download so that you can have one for any situation.
Pre-thanks. It’s an interesting concept that can help create powerful results toward a positive relationship. I would love to hear your thoughts about this idea so feel free to share your comments, thoughts and experiences about “thanks in advance” here.
We can never be too grateful so why not give generous gratitude a try?
Here’s to a great school year. Enjoy!
please click on image to download pdf
Hi ! I read that article as well and decided to make a thank you in advance for my son’s teacher this year. I found a great 5 X 7 composition book that is already school themed, I am just going to embellish it a little more. I am going to write a thank you in advance note on the first page. We will meet his teacher tonight! I am very excited because he is going to be in kindergarten so it is even more special to express my thanks.
I don’t subscribe to CK, but I love this idea. I was just thinking the other day, probably sparked by an idea I saw on another blog, that it would be nice to start the year off on a good foot with a little something for each of my children’s teachers. I think this idea is great! Thanks for the beautiful download!
My five-year old is staring Kindergarten next week and I’m going right now to make his new teacher a card! This is a great idea and one that I am going to do with my son’s teacher this year and every year from now on!. As the daughter of an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, I know first hand the hard work and dedication it takes to be a great teacher. I also know first hand how all that hard work and dedication can go un-noticed and un-appreciated. As my son starts school I was trying to think of some way to let the teacher know that I certainly appreciate her new role in my son’s life. This is PERFECT! Thanks so much!
In Australia school years are calendar years (kind of) – February til December! But I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the wonderful downloads you create.
I love knowing that about Australia – thanks for sharing. No wonder we get so many Aussies who spend the winter skiing here in Park City, Utah – it’s your summer vacation.
Where were you teaching? Reminds me of my days at American Heritage in PG. Teacher appreciations are awesome — no matter when. I’ve always been grateful for those that showed appreciation during parent/teacher meetings. Those can be stressful times and gratitude helps bring a feeling of charity to the event. Thanks for the download. Awesome!
Meridian School in Provo, Utah – I’m not sure if it’s around any more but I loved teaching there.
Thanks for this wonderful download–I so agree with building positive relationships and investing upfront seems to be such a clear message. I teach a course, Expanding Quality for Infants and Toddlers and I plan to take copies for each student. Most participants work in an early care and education program in their home or in a community program. This is a beautiful way to let them know that I appreciate their commitment to the infants, toddlers and their families. Although they are underpaid and can be under valued they are so important in the lives of the babies.
Supporting positive relationships with teachers and caregivers is just what we hope that they will practice with children and families. Experiencing appreciation and being valued is important in the process of positive relationships.
Thank you.
Thank you for this idea. I couldn’t sleep well the night before my children started school so I started reading some of the blogs I enjoy…and of course I read this one! So I wrote letters to the teachers of two of my children and I think they loved it. My son in fourth grade sort of struggles with behavior and I mentioned this in my letter…but I told her she had my support and I wanted to work with her to make sure that 4th grade would be a good memory for him. Well, I don’t know if it was because of the letter or not, but she complimented him highly on his good behavior at the end of the day….and it was the best part of his day…he said so at dinner that night. He already loves, loves this teacher because of that one compliment.
I love your positive outlook on life and the little bits of advice you give that change my life for the better. Thank you for sharing these thoughts in your blog.