Teachers are a very important, yet very underrated set of people in society, and the teaching profession is something of a great aid to the world at large.
From their work in the classroom to the products of their labor going out into society, most of what we have today as humans was passed down and stacked over generations by these amazing and important people.
Now when one of these people were to tell you thank you, there are a myriad of reasons why. It is mostly an honor that most do not understand, but it could be one that means they enjoyed teaching you, it could be because a session is over and you are no longer in their care and will be passing on to another, it could be for being given the opportunity to teach you, and a few more.
So what do you say back when you receive a “thank you” from a teacher? What kind of replies can you give to a teacher telling you “thank you”? It would usually depend on how close you are to the teacher, how much the teacher has done, how good the teacher is, or who the teacher is in general
Here we take a look at a few options, a few ways you could reply to a word of gratitude from a teacher.
How to Reply To Thank You From A Teacher
Why would a teacher tell you that? How can you respond to that and what can you say back to said teacher? Here, we introduce you here to 20 different replies you could give to a teacher when they tell you “thank you”.
Let us take a look a a list of possible replies that you could use if ever in this situation:
1. No thank you [teacher’s name] for not quitting on me
A teacher can say thank you to express gratitude for something you did for him or her. In response, you can “No thank you [teacher’s name] for not quitting on me” to also express gratitude for taking the time to make sure that you grew even when others gave up on you.
A response like this is touchy and it is important to not throw it around carelessly. You can use this when the teacher says thank you for something amazing that you have done, like giving them a big or expensive gift. It will seem like a cheesy movie but it will be there e perfect reply
2. You are welcome sir/ma’am. Would there be any other thing I can help with?
On a smaller scale, if you have just helped them with something and they said thank you, you can respond with “You are welcome sir/ma’am. Would there be any other thing I can help with?”
It tells them that first, what you helped them with was not a big deal and you are eager to help them as long as they tell you how and it’s within your power.
3. I have to thank you. You made this work as it did
Teachers tend to show a lot of appreciation not only for the sheer importance of it but to also instill these habits and morals into the children or people they teach.
Saying “I have to thank you. You made this work as it did” when they tell you thank you, you would tell them that they were very helpful in the work you were doing.
It also tells them that while what you have just completed might have been important to them, hence, saying thank you, you appreciate how they lent a hand, a listening ear, and gave advice until it became a reality.
4. I’m thrilled to belong in your class
Any good teacher would love to hear “I’m thrilled to belong in your class” whether or not they have just told you thank you.
This response is like a compliment that tells the teacher that he or she is doing a great job and you enjoy being there because they make you feel great, you learn a lot, and any other personal reasons you might have.
5. No problem. I will be by your side to support your teaching to the best of my abilities.
“No problem. I will be by your side to support your teaching to the best of my abilities” is perfect if you are an assistant teacher.
You might have done something to get a thank you. Instead of a generic you are welcome, this response reassures him or her that you will be there to help and you will do your best while you are at it.
6. The pleasure is mine. Your teaching style works for me.
If you want to compliment a teacher and appreciate him or her like they have appreciated you, “The pleasure is mine. Your teaching style works for me” is one of the better ways.
Teaching styles are unique to every teacher and it is a bigger compliment just being part of their class. It says just how much that teaching style has helped you academically and it will make any teacher glad.
7. What are you thanking me for [teacher’s name]?
“What are you thanking me for [teacher’s name]?” is a neat reply to use when a teacher thanks you. it however has two meanings.
The first can mean you are oblivious of what they are thanking you for and you want to know while the second is saying that whatever you did to warrant that thanks is too insignificant to be appreciated.
8. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be in your class
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be in your class” is similar to the response to the one above. It is suitable for when a teacher says thank you and you want to appreciate them for the work they do.
While it might have been fate that put you in their class, it wasn’t fate that made you a good teacher, enough to help you become a better person.
9. You’re welcome! I’ll continue to work hard
In the case where it is your hard work or dedication that is appreciated you can respond with “You’re welcome! I’ll continue to work hard”.
Teachers appreciate students sometimes so make them do better, so promising to work hard or to do better will make them even happier than saying you are welcome.
10. I’m glad I could contribute. I’ll always do my best.
For a class project you all worked on, a teacher saying thank you is simply saying “You did a good job, and playing your part made it turn out well”. In response you can modestly say “I’m glad I could contribute. I’ll always do my best”.
Even if it is not a class project, this response covers your contribution and promises to always do your best.
11. Thank you for the encouragement. I’ll keep pushing myself
Remember when I said teachers say thank you to encourage their students, well if that is the reason for the thank you you got, you can “Thank you for the encouragement. I’ll keep pushing myself”.
Acknowledging a person’s action is very key and a response like this gives a reply that will let them know that you are not ready to lean on your oars.
12. It’s a team effort, and we’re glad to be a part of it. Thank you for your dedication
No one says teachers talk to only students. When a teacher appreciates you as a parent, you can respond with “It’s a team effort, and we’re glad to be a part of it. Thank you for your dedication”.
A response like this tells the teacher that not only are you grateful for the good work and dedication towards their job and your child’s growth, but you will always play your part to make their work easier and see that your child progresses.
13. Thank you for your efforts in educating our child. We will give our support any way possible
Another wonderful response you can use as a parent is “Thank you for your efforts in educating our child. We will give our support any way possible”.
It is formal yet warm. It shows your willingness to put in effort and help in any way. It is great for the day when you go and check your child’s progress.
14. It wasn’t a problem, [teacher’s name]
Back to generic responses which can be used by anyone, even a fellow teacher, we have “It wasn’t a problem, [teacher’s name]”.
Adding the teacher’s name at the end makes it sound less casual and it is great if this is a teacher you are trying to build rapport with. After all, teachers always say the names of their students.
15. You have done a whole lot more for me
Teachers do much more than you can actually realize. Aside from teaching, they instill morals into people and serve as role models. In this case when they say thank you to you a reply like “You have done so much more for me” is lovely.
You are telling them that there is no need to thank you because what they have done far for you outweighs what you are doing for them. Alumni can use this.
16. Thank you? To me?
For a bewildered response, you can say “Thank you? To me?” to express it .
Most times, you might not have to use this reply but it comes in handy when you know you do not deserve it and you are trying to understand what is going on.
17. That’s sweet of you, [teacher’s name]
It might sound natural because generally saying “That’s sweet of you, [teacher’s name]” when they say thank you is for someone older.
However, if it is a phrase they use regularly you can use it to politely imitate them. That would make them laugh and it would be very sweet of you.
18. It’s not worth thanking me for.
“It’s not worth thanking me for” is a simple and casual response to when a teacher says thank you.
Saying this with a smile shows modesty and doesn’t make a big deal over something you would like to remain small.
19. I am just playing my part, sir/ma
Everyone has a part to play in every situation. When they say thank you for playing your part well, you can modestly say “I am just playing my part, sir/ma” to let them know that you don’t need to be thanked.
This response will make you come off as a hardworking, serious, and dedicated person who is ready to help by playing his part and is happy to do so.
20. I achieved this with your help
Most times teachers see us through the difficult things we try to achieve and they never give up until we succeed. In that case, “I achieved this with your help” is a response that gives them the acknowledgment they deserve when they tell you thank you.
A simple response like this will spur them to do more to help you and many others who all they might need is a teacher’s unrelenting advice and direction.
Final words
Teachers are amazing people and the world today needs more of them. It is also a fact that they are among the most underrated people/occupations on today’s Earth, which is quite sad. But getting a thank you from one of these amazing people is worth being a highlight of your day.
Finally, with a well-drafted list of 20 possible ways to go about responding to the gratitude shown to you by a teacher, you may be more at ease with the flow of the conversation and the relationship beyond that point.
It would make things easier to avoid the awkwardness that arises from such a situation.