1. Recommend Them

Sure, it’s nice to tell your friends and family and all of Facebook how much you adore your teacher, but surely it will mean a lot more to tell their principal, dean, or other administrators. Better yet, put it in writing, so when it comes time for a performance review, your favorite teacher will have proof of just how good they are.

2. Remember Them

My own favorite teachers were all three English teaches (Mrs. Doran, Warren, and Ilges), and I think the best way I can thank them is by holding dear their memories, and working in a way that honors them. Whenever I finish a writing project, I review it with a critical eye, and ask myself what they would think, and if they would approve.

3. Send a Gift

Who doesn’t love to receive a thank-you card or gift? Of course, that includes teachers! It doesn’t have to be a pricey gift, just something small and sentimental, or just a card itself. Do they really need another teacher ornament or apple paperweight? No, but I’m sure each one they have means a lot to them.

4. Write a Note

Like I mentioned above, sometimes the best way to thank a teacher is to give a gift or a card, or better yet, a personally hand-written note. Just write down your gratitude and appreciation, and either mail the note, or deliver it to the school.

5. Dedicate Your Work

If you become an artist or a writer, why not thank the teacher who inspired you by dedicating your work to that teacher? I plan to dedicate a book to my high school English teachers, once I write one that’s worthy of them.

6. StoryCorps

On September 19, StoryCorps kicked off the National Teachers Initiative, recording the stories of teachers and their students in 40-minute interviews. The interviews will be archived with other StoryCorps interviews at the Library of Congress. Find out more, including how to participate, at storycorps.org.

7. Say Thank You!

Aside from all of the above things, obviously, the best way to thank a teacher is to just say thank you! A big hug is nice, too, wouldn’t you agree?

With so many ways to thank a teacher, there’s no reason to delay! Get out there with this list, and say thank you! (Mrs. Doran, if you’re reading this: thank you!) If you’re a teacher, which of these ways would you like to be thanked? Or is there something else we students and ex-students can do to show our love? Do tell!

Top Photo Credit: Passive Income Dream.com