If you were leaving and a parent asked this, would you think it was weird?

[BlabBlab]

I'm not a teacher, just a parent. My son has had a lot of problems throughout his time at school but luckily has had the most amazing teacher who has helped not just him but our family too. My son adores this lady and I know she has a soft spot for him. There's so much more to it but I'll not go into detail.

Anyway she told me she's leaving teaching. My son is also leaving the school soon. Do you think it would be weird for me to give her my email address and ask if she would like to stay in touch but make it clear that I understand if she doesn't want to?

Yes it would be weird and not fair to put her in that situation. If you have an operation you wouldn't expect the doctor or nurse to want to keep in touch with you socially. As important as she is to you and your son, this is her job and she should be free to leave that when she leaves school at the end of the day or when she leaves teaching completely. Just keep her as a nice memory for your son and she may do the same about him.

Thank you. They are the reasons I thought it might be weird and I wouldn't want to make things awkward for her. I just wanted to check others views on the idea.

Try to add her on Facebook after she’s left. If she accepts, you’ll know it’s fine.

I wouldn't think it was weird. I don't have facebook so you wouldn't find me there, and giving me your email with a polite note as you suggest leaves the ball in my court. My mum is still in touch with students from 30 years ago.

I think it's fine to give your email address with a nice note saying how much she's helped you all and you'd love to exchange the occasional message.
I'd be fairly pleased with that and would perhaps send a message after a couple of months.
It puts the ball in her court so if she doesn't want to she can just ignore and lose touch.

Absolutely fine. Many of my teachers have sent friends requests to me on FB decades after I was taught by them.

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping that if I write a note and don't say anything in person it won't be awkward.

Yes that's a good plan, keep it low key just "it would be lovely to hear how you're getting on" and with a note she can just ignore it if she doesn't want to keep in touch.