Since 1997, the Thank a Teacher program has provided a way for University of Minnesota students to formally recognize instructors who challenge and inspire them. Through Thank a Teacher, the Center for Educational Innovation (CEI) connects students to instructors and learning to teaching.
What instructors say about receiving Thank a Teacher notes from students:
"These tributes really help me to keep striving to make a difference in students' lives."
"At the end of the semester when spirits and energy are at their lowest, it is unbelievably heartening to read the grateful words of a single student and remind me that my efforts were worth it."
"It's an amazing surprise and it has a deeper and more gratifying effect than a positive semester evaluation result."
Thank a Teacher Process
Throughout the year, students submit a short note of gratitude to instructors or teaching assistants who have made a difference in their education. CEI screens the notes and some light edits may be made to fix typos or for length and clarity. At the end of each term after course grades have been entered, the letter(s) are sent to the recipient.