How do I thank teachers for writing recommendations?

Question

I'm a senior in high school, and 4 teachers wrote me recommendations.

Teacher #1: Wrote me 9 college recommendations and 1 National Merit Semifinalist recommendation.

Teacher #2: Wrote me 9 college recommendations.

Teacher #3: Wrote me 2 college recommendations, one was only on ONE DAY'S NOTICE!

Teacher #4: Wrote me 1 recommendation with plenty of notice.

My mom bought each of these teachers a $15 gift certificate to a gourmet food shop and restaurant. I do not think that this is enough. Should I go out and buy them some more gifts? I do not think my mother's gifts match their generosity.

My school district does not pay teachers to write recommendations. It is not officially considered part of their job.

Answer 1

Yeah, you might want to write them thank-you cards and buy them a box of chocolates or something to go with that gift certificate.

I hope I helped!

Answer 2

Technically, teachers are not allowed to receive payment for these kinds of services. It generally falls into their job category, if they have time to do it. Your mother was so kind to think of compensating your instructors, but she should check with the school board before giving the gifts; it might be against the district policy for teachers to accept them.

Generally, a simple, handwritten thank you note from the student is appropriate for written recommendations. Clearly your instructors have gone to the limit (maybe past) for you in this regard, so they will certainly appreciate the gesture you make. And it's good practice for writing thank you notes after college and job interviews.

Answer 3

Show appreciation thanking them verbally or a nice sincere note.
Teachers are doing their job and gifts are not required for a good job.
It's ok to give a token gift at the end of the year or during a holiday, but for writing recommendations? Does not seem necessary.

Answer 4

The gift cards, along with a meaningful, well-thought thank you card or letter are nice ideas for those teachers. However, my advice to you is to thank these teachers by getting out there and making something of yourself. Study hard and become the somebody they always knew you would become. If they didn't have faith in your ability, then they wouldn't have taken the time or the effort to write these recommendations. The best thanks you can give them is by doing something great with your life. Good luck in everything you do in the future. :-)

Answer 5

I think you'd be surprised to know that your teachers probably think your mother's gift to them was extremely generous. I never EXPECT gifts from my students and their parents (and I teach elementary school), so any time I'm appreciated, it's appreciated. High school teachers don't receive gifts as often as teachers of younger students, so they probably think both you and your mother are absolutely fabulous. :) If you still think they deserve more, a heartfelt letter thanking them along with some candy would work for most people. They obviously already think highly of you to have written so many recommendations. Congrats and best wishes!

Answer 6

Your mom's gift certificates are great!
YOU should hand write a personal note to each teacher with your thanks. No more gifts necessary. As a teacher, I have kept all personal notes from my students...still look at them when school gets stressful...personal notes: priceless

Answer 7

I'd write them thank-you cards. Show some grattitude, that should be sufficient.

I'm in grad school and the professor I work with always writes recommendations. He doesn't expect anything other than sincere "thank you" and yes, he considers it to be part of his job.

Answer 8

Since it would be seen as unorthodox for a teacher to receive anything elaborate for this type of assistance....
When I was in HS and teachers wrote them for me I would hand write a thank you to them.
... and definitly keep them updated as to the help and assistance their recommendation has brought to you, especially if it takes you beyond your expectations... it is rewarding to know how far your words can help to advance another persons life....

Answer 9

well i just thanked them and let them know that they were really helping me in the future. Usually they write them because as teachers they want to see students further their education and one of the best gifts(to teachers that care) is letting them know that they really helped.

Answer 10

Your mothers gifts do match their generosity except for the first teacher. Add a personnal note to hers saying how thankful you are to her. For the other three teachers write small peices of paper for each of them. A.K.A. write little cards.

Make sure you give extra thanks to the first teacher.