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AIBU?

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Original poster

To email the teacher

184 replies

Princesspollyyy · 18/12/2025 08:20

my daughters (secondary school GCSE year) teacher is really good, very dedicated and committed and just an excellent teacher and lovely person. Would it be weird to send her an email thanking her for all her hard work and wishing her a lovely Christmas?

OP posts:
EtpuisEcoute · 19/12/2025 23:57

Teacher here.
Do it.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 19/12/2025 23:42

It’s lovely that you did it and ignore the comments from miserable people about bribery because that’s just ridiculous negativity. I have over 20 years’ teaching experience and emails / cards like this make my day. I keep them forever.

MrsHamlet · 19/12/2025 23:18

Princesspollyyy · 19/12/2025 19:46

@MrsHamlet

lol nice try. It would have absolutely no effect and you know it.

It would be exactly as effective as all the messages kids write me in their exam papers....

MouldyOldBaps · 19/12/2025 22:44

Fantastic idea! Over 30 years ago, before emails, cards or letters to me saying this really mattered. I still take so much from parents who wrote/said this to me. It made all the hard work so worthwhile.

sunnydayswim · 19/12/2025 20:30

I’m a teacher and you’d be surprised how quick parents are to complain about the smallest things and how many complaints get sent. It’s very demotivating and is part of the reason teachers are leaving in droves. I cherish a rare nice parent email and that small act of kindness would make someone’s day/week/term.

schoolsoutforever · 19/12/2025 19:49

Please do - it's genuinely lovely to get those kind of emails.

Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 19/12/2025 19:46

@MrsHamlet

lol nice try. It would have absolutely no effect and you know it.

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 19/12/2025 18:48

Princesspollyyy · 19/12/2025 15:24

How exactly could I bribe a secondary school English teacher who is teaching my child GCSE?? She doesn’t mark the exam paper or have any influence at all.

My child’s coursework is almost complete. Getting my child to write a card would not be appropriate as I wanted to thank the teacher personally, from parent to teacher.

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Send me £100 and I'll let you know 🤣

Chinsupmeloves · 19/12/2025 16:55

We all appreciate any positive comments, please do! Xxx

Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 19/12/2025 15:24

crazeekat · 19/12/2025 07:13

Get a Xmas card and get ur child to write it. It will mean more and be more genuine and so that u can’t be accused of bribery haha

How exactly could I bribe a secondary school English teacher who is teaching my child GCSE?? She doesn’t mark the exam paper or have any influence at all.

My child’s coursework is almost complete. Getting my child to write a card would not be appropriate as I wanted to thank the teacher personally, from parent to teacher.

OP posts:
hobbcat · 19/12/2025 12:54

Secondary teacher here - please email. We love any contact. It shows that you appreciate what we do. A good teacher is worth a lot.

Lurkingandlearning · 19/12/2025 08:22

Be guided by the many, many teachers who have said it is a lovely idea.

Even in the very likely event your child’s teacher was suspicious of your motives (because apparently some parents are devious) she will get the bonus of having her faith in human nature restored when you don’t try to use it to manipulate her in the future.

Rituelec · 19/12/2025 07:21

I have just done this. Mainly as I had a very big moan about something that wasn't entirely their fault but they were my point of contact and they did sort it for which I am greatful!

BookArt55 · 19/12/2025 07:19

Hohohohohohoho2025 · 18/12/2025 08:24

No it would be lovely. Cc in the school office and ask them to forward it to the headteacher.

I second this! Lovely emails are few abd far between, but what is even more rare is anyone but that one teacher being aware of it. Making the headteacher aware will really boost that teacher even more!
Lovely, thoughtful and a joy to read!

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/12/2025 07:17

crazeekat · 19/12/2025 07:13

Get a Xmas card and get ur child to write it. It will mean more and be more genuine and so that u can’t be accused of bribery haha

The accusation of bribery is nonsense anyway.

crazeekat · 19/12/2025 07:13

Get a Xmas card and get ur child to write it. It will mean more and be more genuine and so that u can’t be accused of bribery haha

Cherrysoup · 19/12/2025 07:10

CrispySquid · 18/12/2025 08:22

That's an utterly lovely idea. I'm a teacher and if/whenever I receive words like these from Parents, it would absolutely make my week. What a thoughtful thing to do. The teacher will be over the moon.

Same, I’d be delighted to receive such a message from parents.

raspberrysparkles · 19/12/2025 07:06

I’m a teacher and would love some thanks. No need to copy in anybody else in my opinion Daffodil

kennycat · 18/12/2025 23:47

not at all weird. i’ve done this exact thing.l this week.
i’m a teacher and do often get similar emails and it is lovely!! makes us remember why we do the job; it’s made a difference to the children we teach.
do it!! and behaving the recipient of your email i say a massive thanks you xx

Endorewitch · 18/12/2025 22:42

LemaxObsessive · 18/12/2025 08:27

🙄😆😆 As if they don’t have enough to do! There’d be an awful lot of eye rolling going on if they received a suck up attempt a matter of months before GCSEs and will be judging massively. Sorry OP but it’s got elements of bribery imo.

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It is a lovely idea. As an ex teacher I would appreciate it. No element of bribery IMO

HarrietandJim · 18/12/2025 21:58

MyOliveStork · 18/12/2025 20:29

I never went in for gifts and cards when my kids were in primary school (youngest is now 19).
My last child had a wonderful teacher in Year 6, she was so good for him and all the other children, really sought to help them realise the best of themselves.
I went to see her near the end of term to tell how amazing I thought she was, how thankful I was for what she had recognised in my son and helped him to achieve. I made her cry. It made me realise that it isn’t buying gifts, it’s telling your teacher how much you support and appreciate them.
My friend works with this teacher and has told me that my words are still something she mentions now.
My daughter became a primary school teacher and says a supportive parent is worth a hundred gifts.

Instead of buying gifts, if you appreciate a teacher express thanks, face to face or in writing, as these acts are treasured. I have kept all the personal cards, notes and letters from parents and students as they mean so much to me.

Fourleggedfanatic · 18/12/2025 21:54

I am a teacher and I would love to get an email of thanks from you. Definitely do it!

CosyBiscuit · 18/12/2025 21:54

I think it is a lovely kind thing to do. I work in Education, not in a school but hear first hand how times are so challenging since Covid. I take my hat off to these teachers doing a job that is so difficult.

I have a tough few months, losing a sister at 45, out of the blue in October and couple of weeks ago going to hospital and missed a holiday we’ve saved for all year. So this year, I’m thinking be extra kind, say thank you more to those in the front line.

So tomorrow my Drs receptionists are getting chocolates, because they take so much abuse, doing a low paid job in difficult times. Then I’m going to the pharmacy, to do the same as a while ago I was collecting from there and a customer was soooo rude to the shop assistant because his prescription hadn’t arrived. Completely not her fault, I said I don’t know how you put up with that, her reply well we are just used to it now. Well that’s not good enough!! Let’s all try and be nice, it really can make a difference to someone’s day.

notnorman · 18/12/2025 21:45

Deffo do this.

MCF86 · 18/12/2025 21:15

LemaxObsessive · 18/12/2025 08:27

🙄😆😆 As if they don’t have enough to do! There’d be an awful lot of eye rolling going on if they received a suck up attempt a matter of months before GCSEs and will be judging massively. Sorry OP but it’s got elements of bribery imo.

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This is so wrong it's funny. Parents are very quick to complain, schools are overrun with sickness and everyone is on their knees. Headteachers absolutely want to hear when things are going well too!

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