How to thank your favorite educator on World Teachers' Day

In Dead Poets Society, there’s a profound scene where Mr. Keating asks his students to stand on their desks, not to defy the rules, but to remind them to look at things differently. That moment, simple yet profound, captures what great teachers truly do: they shift your perspective, often in ways you only begin to appreciate years later.Think back to your own school or college days. There was probably someone like that—someone who didn’t just deliver lessons but left behind something far more enduring. It may have been the teacher who made you believe in your writing when you were unsure of your voice, or the one who turned a dull subject into a doorway to curiosity. Perhaps it was a kind word offered on a day when you needed it most, or the quiet way they pushed you to try just a little harder.Great teachers rarely ask for recognition. Their impact is often invisible at first, a seed planted in passing, a habit encouraged, a confidence built moment by moment. But as the years go by, you begin to notice their fingerprints on your journey.

World Teachers’ Day is a moment to pause, look back, and acknowledge those unseen architects of who we are. It’s not about grand gestures, it’s about remembering, honoring, and saying the words we often keep for too long: thank you. Here we have a few ideas on how you can do just that

Give them a personalized gift or a letter

A handwritten letter or a small personalized gift often carries more weight than anything expensive.

Instead of a generic card, write about a specific moment when their words or actions made a difference to you. Did their encouragement push you to pursue a dream? Did they teach you something that shaped your values? Even a simple memento, like a framed quote they once shared in class—can become a keepsake they’ll treasure.

Bring back something from their class

Every classroom has its own quirks—a joke only your batch understood, a doodle they drew on the board, a phrase they always said.

Recreate that memory in a small, tangible way. It could be a bookmark with their favorite quote, a notebook cover featuring a famous formula or sketch they loved, or even a digital card with those inside references that only they would get. It’s not the gift but the memory it carries that makes them smile.

Organize a surprise class reunion (even virtually)

Time often scatters classmates across cities, countries, and time zones. Yet, one of the most touching gifts for a teacher is seeing how their students turned out.

Organize a virtual meet-up, invite your old classmates, and spend an evening sharing stories. Let them hear about the doctor they inspired, the artist who found their first muse in class, or the entrepreneur who learned resilience from them. The laughter and warmth in that moment will last them longer than any bouquet.

Visit them, if you can

In an age of texts and emails, a personal visit carries a rare warmth. Walk back into those corridors, knock on that familiar staffroom door, and say hello.

Sometimes, the greatest thank you is simply showing up. Bring along a cup of tea, a small token, or even just your time. Teachers rarely forget their students, but they always cherish the ones who come back.

Create a ‘before and after’ moment

Find an old photograph from your school or college days, and pair it with a recent picture of yourself—perhaps in your current profession, or doing something you love. Add a caption that says, “Your lessons helped me become this.”

This visual journey is a powerful reminder of the bridge they helped you cross—one snapshot at a time.

Let them ‘teach’ again for one day

Sometimes, the best way to honor a teacher is to give them the joy of doing what they do best—teaching. Invite them to a small online session or an informal gathering where they can share a life lesson, a story, or even a hobby they’ve picked up since retirement. Seeing familiar faces and realizing their influence still matters can be more rewarding than any formal award.