The 15 Most Powerful Compliments to Give a Teacher

Teachers. Talk about some truly special people! Behind every successful person is a good teacher (or five). I know that’s true for me—I wouldn’t be who I am today without the educators who poured into me when I was just a kid.

Are you a teacher? Help your students win with money today!

And yet, they so often go underappreciated! Well, I think it’s time we change that. After all, a few words of appreciation are all it takes to make a teacher smile and say, “It’s all worth it.” Honestly, you guys, it’s the least we can do.

Best Things to Say to Your Child’s Teacher

It could be the teacher who stayed after the bell rang to explain that not-so-obvious algebra problem you couldn’t quite crack. Or it could be the preschool hero your child can’t stop raving about. Why not brighten their day the next time you see them? Try saying something like this:

Thank you for helping my child grow.

Never underestimate how far even the tiniest expression of gratitude can go. For teachers, a heartfelt “thank you” is often all it takes to remind them why they do what they do—helping kids learn, grow and shine. Say it face-to-face and watch their eyes light up or put it in a handwritten note they can keep. Trust me, they’ll pull it out again when times get tough.

We’ve seen so much improvement.

For businesspeople, success is ROI. For tradespeople, it’s clients gained. But for teachers, success is measured in growth—the kind they see in their students. When you tell a teacher that your child is more confident, focused and ready to take their next steps, that’s their version of success. It’s proof that their work paid off.

My kid is happy to come to school.

Let’s be real—going to school can be a little scary sometimes! Whether it’s your kid’s first time in a classroom or their first year away at college, great teachers have a way of turning nerves into excitement. They make students feel safe, welcome and ready to learn. That kind of impact? It’s worth calling out.

Your sacrifices don’t go unnoticed.

It’s no secret that teachers give up a lot for their students. They grade papers, plan lessons, attend conferences, and meet with parents—often after hours. Many even buy classroom supplies out of their own pocket. Teaching is one of the few jobs where you literally have to put your money where your mouth is! Let them know that extra effort matters.

You’ve turned self-doubt into confidence.

Teachers don’t just make tough subjects easy—they help students believe they can do hard things. They turn even the most dreaded topics into new favorites and hard-to-crack problems into small victories. That’s more than scores on a test. That’s confidence that sticks beyond the classroom. Because when kids know they have someone in their corner who believes in them, they start to believe in themselves too.

My child is excited to learn more about this.

These words are music to a teacher’s ears! It means they’ve sparked curiosity and opened your child’s mind to new ideas, skills or interests. Most teachers are deeply passionate about learning and love it when their students share that enthusiasm. Bonus points if those words come straight from your kiddo.

You truly care about your students.

Good teachers don’t just educate—they invest their all into their students. Every success, every milestone, every lightbulb moment where a tough subject just clicks is a mission fulfilled. Let them know how much their effort matters to you and your family. You might just make their entire week!

You’re making a huge impact. 

Even the most patient teachers have days where they wonder if it’s all worth it. But one small reminder—a note, an email or a quick conversation—can change everything. Tell them how their teaching has shaped you or your child, so they can see how far their impact really goes. Because when teachers know they’re making a difference today, it fuels their tomorrow.

And hey, these are just ideas to get you started. If you’ve got kind words in your heart, share them! It costs nothing to make someone’s day—but it can mean everything to the person who hears it. A little kindness can be the difference between feeling overlooked and feeling seen.

Best Things to Say to Your Former Teachers

Admit it. Back in the day, you probably rolled your eyes at the one teacher who always pushed you to do better (we all had our Mr. Feeny, right?). But now, you get it. You see the bigger lessons they were trying to teach—the ones that helped shape your career, your character and maybe even your kindness.

If you were lucky enough to have a teacher like that at least once, why not look them up and let them know the impact they’ve had on your life? Here are a few heartfelt things you can say:

I wouldn’t be where I am without you. 

Maybe you’re running your own business, thriving in a career you love, getting out of debt, or starting a charity. What teacher wouldn’t get a kick out of knowing they motivated you to achieve those things?

I never forgot this one thing you said to me. 

Educators love to hear how a phrase they used—like “double-check your work” or “learn from your mistakes instead of dwelling on them”—stuck in your mind. They’ll also be happy the words didn’t go in one ear and out the other. (Even if it took a while to stick.)

You saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. 

Teachers spend so much time with us when we’re growing up that they sometimes know us better than we know ourselves. Occasionally, they’ll even notice a gift or talent we don’t even realize we have—and they’ll encourage us to put it to use. If one of your teachers did that for you, let them know and thank them!

I’m still using a skill you taught me. 

Maybe it’s the memory tricks that helped you recall the answers to your final exams or the time-management tips that helped you balance homework with your after-school job. It’s awesome for your teacher to hear how those skills are still helping you today with your job and your family.

Additional Things to Say to Teachers You Know

Maybe your sibling, your neighbor or one of your BFFs is a teacher. You may not see them in action, but you can still acknowledge the hard work they put into their day job by saying something like:

You deserve a break.

Did you know twice as many teachers report job stress—even burnout—than other working adults?  And many work more than 50 hours a week!¹ Their hard work matters—but so does their rest. If you have a teacher in your life, remind them to recharge their batteries. Teachers are so passionate about what they do that it’s easy for them to get lost in the work and totally forget to slow down. Encourage them to take a little time for themselves—whether that’s a spa day, a walk outside or even a quiet cup of tea in the evening.

I admire what you do. 

Too many people think teaching is an easy profession. But that’s only because teachers make it look easy! That’s the job. Go ahead and tell a teacher that you recognize how hard their job is. That’s probably enough to make them smile.

How can I help? 

Teachers can get overwhelmed by their workload. If you’re feeling generous, ask how you can help. It could be something as simple as donating books to their classroom library or volunteering to read or speak to their students. Big or small, there’s something you can do to help a teacher in your life!

Go Put These Compliments Into Action!

All of the compliments on this list are a great way to brighten a teacher's day. But here's the deal, you guys: They only work if you actually go out and give them! So what are you waiting for? Go spread some encouragement and thankfulness to the teachers in your life. They deserve it.