Letter to My Teacher: Write to your teacher explaining how they inspire you in school and life

Teachers change lives — and Kids News wants to hear from you about the one teacher who is inspiring* you, has helped you, been kind to you, or who just makes school fun because of the way they teach.

It is all part of our Australia’s Best Teachers campaign*, which shines a light on the wonderful work our teachers do.

For some of us, we realise the impact our teacher has had on us while we are at school as they teach us to read and write, teach us to be confident and be ourselves, how to be kind to others, and help us discover the fascinating worlds of science, or music or sport.

For others — such as superstar singer Adele — it’s later in life when they realise teachers helped shape their futures and careers.

At a concert in London, award-winning singer-songwriter Adele was asked to name one person who had inspired her. She named her English teacher Ms McDonald, who taught her for just one year, and revealed Ms McDonald had encouraged love of literature* — which led to Adele writing all her own song lyrics.

“She also did street dance and was so cool,” Adele told the audience, before it was revealed Ms McDonald was a surprise guest in the crowd and the pair had an emotional reunion* on stage.
“You really did change my life,” Adele told Ms McDonald.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Kids News is inviting students across Australia to write a letter to their favourite teacher to reveal how they have had a positive impact on their life.

The letters are part of Australia’s Best Teachers campaign, run by Kids News and News Corp Australia.

Some of the letters will be published on Kids News or on the front pages of newspapers such as the Sunday Telegraph in Sydney, Sunday Herald Sun in Melbourne or the Sunday Mail in Adelaide and Brisbane.

In the letters, students may consider details such as:

• Why do you like or admire your teacher?

• What makes them so special?

• Do you like how they teach? (teaching style and tools they use)

• Do you like what they teach? (cool subjects, fun stuff, interesting topics)

• Do you like how they connect with students and how they show they care about what students learn and the child?

• What is their personality like? Are they fun, creative, good at explaining things, curious about you, helpful?

• How do you feel being in their class? (Happy, learning lots, feel confident, feel like you matter and are appreciated, heard and seen.)

• Have they supported you? Are you grateful for their advice, that they listen to you?

• Are you impressed by how hard they work?

• Do you feel safe in their classroom?

• Have they changed your life in any way? How?

• Would you like your teacher to teach you again in future years?

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR LETTER?
Letters chosen by editors may be promoted as part of the campaign on various News Corp Australia websites, including Kids News and others listed in the terms and conditions, as well as various newspapers. News may publish some or all of the letters received.

HOW TO ENTER
In 50 words or less, students are asked to write a letter to their teacher in letter format.

Each letter should be submitted on one side only of a single A4 size piece of paper.

The letters can be typed or handwritten, including in colourful pencils or marker, and we encourage the use of drawings.

If a student is under 18 years of age, they must obtain the permission of their parent or guardian to submit a letter to this campaign.

All letters must be emailed by a parent or guardian.

All letters must be accompanied by a Permission to Publish consent form signed by a parent or guardian (available below) and emailed to lettertomyteacher@news.com.au

• The Letter to My Teacher campaign is open to all Australian resident students from Preparatory to Year 12, studying in an Australian school.

• Maximum of one entry per student.

• Submissions open: 9am (Sydney time) on Monday, 4 March, 2024

• Submissions close: 5pm (Sydney time) on Friday, 5 April, 2024

• Submissions for any student aged under 18 that are not submitted by a parent/guardian and/or are not accompanied by the Permission to Publish consent form will not be considered for publication.

NOTE: Publication remains at the discretion of the Australia’s Best Teachers editorial panel, Kids News editors and masthead editors in each state and no correspondence* will be entered into regarding any letter that has not been published in print or online.

All submissions or queries may be sent for consideration to Lettertomyteacher@news.com.au

* Full terms and conditions plus Permission to Publish consent form are HERE.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• inspiring: giving someone positive or creative feelings
• campaign: an organised effort to achieve a goal
• literature: written works, especially those considered the best or highly artistic
• reunion: two or more people coming together again after a separation
• correspondence: communication by exchanging letters, emails, or other messages

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