The Ultimate Guide to Writing a "Dear Teacher" Letter for Your Child with Learning Challenges

Kathy Cousineau
6 days ago
7 min read

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A father kneels in front of his young son, holding his hands and smiling as they share a moment before school. The boy, dressed in a striped shirt, red shorts, and wearing a backpack, looks excited and happy. This heartfelt image captures the importance of preparing children emotionally for the new school year, making it a perfect visual for a blog post about writing a "Dear Teacher" letter to foster communication and ensure a positive start to the academic year. Behind them are steps leading to a school entrance, symbolizing the new journey ahead.

Starting a new school year is both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking for students, teachers, and especially parents of children with learning challenges. A well-written "Dear Teacher" letter can help ease that transition and set your child up for success from the very first day of school.

This post will walk you through the importance of the "Dear Teacher" letter, how to personalize it for your child, and where to access free, customizable letter templates to ensure teachers have a clear, concise, and compassionate introduction to who your child is, beyond the grades and test scores.

Whether you're preparing for back to school, writing at the end of the year, or just looking for a meaningful writing activity, this guide will help you create a thoughtful and impactful letter that strengthens home-school communication and sets the stage for a successful school year.

Smiling woman sitting at a desk, reading a letter, appearing pleased by good news.

What Is a "Dear Teacher" Letter and Why Is It So Valuable for Children and Parents?

A "Dear Teacher" letter is a one-page letter written by a parent or caregiver to their child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year, or sometimes by the child at the end of the school year. Its goal is to introduce the child to their new teacher, share some information about their personality, and outline their learning needs or challenges in a clear, friendly tone.

This letter is more than just a helpful resource; it can be a bridge between parents and teachers. It helps the teacher get to know your student before challenges arise, giving them a clearer sense of how to connect and how to support your child from the very beginning.

For students with learning differences, this letter is an invaluable way to ensure their needs are not only known but also met with understanding from day one.

Large clock with smaller clocks drifting away from it, symbolizing the concept of "when" or the passage of time leading to a specific moment or decision.

When Should You Use a "Dear Teacher" Letter?

Most parents choose to write a letter before the first day of school, especially during back-to-school season or during transition periods. But it can also be a powerful tool at the end of the year, particularly for students moving to a new grade or teacher.

Here are a few ideal times to use it:

Beginning of the year: A warm introduction for a new teacher.
End of the year: Pass important insights to next year’s teacher.
During transitions: If your child is moving to a new school or grade level.
After an IEP review: Reinforce what accommodations are needed in the classroom.

Writing a "Dear Teacher" letter can be a great way to ease the start-of-school jitters and open up helpful communication with your child’s teacher, whether you do it once or make it a yearly habit.

A teacher dressed in a black blazer smiles warmly as she shakes hands with a young student in front of a green chalkboard. The student, wearing a pink backpack and burgundy shirt, looks up at the teacher with confidence. This image reflects the positive connection between teachers and students, making it perfect for a blog post about writing a "Dear Teacher" letter. The scene emphasizes the importance of open communication and building a supportive relationship at the start of the school year.

How to Start Your Letter: Introducing Your Child

Every good letter begins with a personal introduction. Think of it as the "hello" in your letter to the teacher.

This part of the letter should include:

Your child’s name and grade
A brief description of their personality
A note about how excited they are to start the new school year

Example:

“My daughter, Maya, is joining your third-grade class this year. She’s thoughtful, creative, and loves writing whimsical stories about animals and imaginary worlds. She may be quiet at first, but her humor and big heart shine once she feels at home.."

A young girl smiling at her desk and holding a piece of paper, appearing excited or encouraged by what she’s reading and writing.

You might even include a photo or a small craft your child made—something that offers a glimpse into who they are. It’s a meaningful way for teachers to begin connecting with their new students on a more personal level, even before the first bell rings.

A young boy with short brown hair lies on the floor of his bedroom, playing with two toy dinosaurs, one green and one red. Dressed in a striped shirt, he is focused and imaginative as he engages in play. This image is perfect for a blog post about writing a "Dear Teacher" letter, as it highlights the importance of sharing personal details about a child’s interests, such as a love for dinosaurs, which can help teachers connect with and support their students on a deeper level.

Highlighting Your Child’s Interests and Hobbies

Letting teachers know what your child loves outside of school helps teachers see them as a whole person, not just through the lens of academics or challenges.

You might include:

Favorite hobby (e.g., Legos, animals, drawing, dance)
What excites them (space, sports, mysteries?)
How they express themselves (writing stories, making comics, music)

Example:

“Ella adores animals and often writes her own stories about talking cats and magical jungles. She’s an aspiring creative writing star!”

Sharing your child’s interests gives teachers a meaningful starting point for connection. When a teacher knows what lights a student up—whether it’s dinosaurs, music, or building things—they can use those details to build rapport, spark conversations, or even weave those interests into lessons and activities. It’s a small gesture that can help your child feel seen, valued, and more at home in the classroom from day one.

Three boys in baseball uniforms with arms around each other, standing on a grassy field.

Discussing Strengths Beyond the Grades

It’s important for the teacher to know what your child excels at, whether academic or personal.

Consider these prompts:

Does your child show care and understanding for others?
Do they work well in teams, or do they prefer to work independently?
Do they enjoy reading or storytelling?
Do they love building, designing, or making things?
Are they especially knowledgeable about World War II or dinosaurs?

Example:

“James is a great helper. He enjoys mentoring younger students during reading time and loves when he gets to take on responsibility.”

This builds a strengths-based view that helps the teacher see beyond test scores and connect to the whole child.

Frustrated boy in an orange shirt raising his hands while looking at an open book.

Describing Learning Challenges and Their Impact

One of the most crucial parts of the "Dear Teacher" letter is clearly and honestly explaining your child’s learning challenges.

Keep the tone positive but factual
Use clear, accessible language
Share how your child's challenges show up during the school day

Example:

“Sophie has dyslexia, which means she sometimes struggles with reading comprehension and written assignments. She may need extra time or audiobooks for larger projects. During class, she may appear distracted, but this often stems from frustration, not disinterest.”

This is not about listing deficits—it’s about giving the teacher a head start in understanding and supporting your child.

Smiling student wearing headphones and holding a pencil, sitting at a desk in a classroom.

Outlining Classroom Accommodations That Work

Now that you’ve outlined the challenge, explain what resources or accommodations have worked best. These may come from your child’s IEP, a 504 Plan, or from your own observations. Focus on the top five to ten that make the biggest difference. Too much information can overwhelm. Focusing on the most important resources or accommodations for your child makes your message clearer, more helpful, and easier for the teacher to remember and use.

Helpful examples include:

Preferred seating (front of class, away from noise)
Use of technology or Google Slides for assignments
Access to audiobooks for reading
Extra processing time
Color-coded schedules

Example:

“Sam benefits from noise-canceling headphones during independent reading and is better able to demonstrate his understanding when given checklists or writing prompts."

Stick to what matters most—this helps the teacher quickly understand how to support your child effectively.

Preview of a downloadable “Dear Teacher” letter template with colorful graphics and learning support sections.

Choosing and Customizing a Letter Template

Not sure where to start? My Happy Teacher has a free "Dear Teacher" Letter that you can customize for your needs. These free downloadable resources guide you step-by-step through writing the letter.

You can:

Choose templates specifically for ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and more
Choose formats like Canva or a printable PDF
Pick a version with writing prompts to help structure your message

Tip: Keep the final letter to one page so it’s easy to read and reference during the busy first weeks of the school year.

Young students focused on writing at a classroom table, with colored pencils and paper in front of them.

How Teachers Can Use the Letter as a Back-to-School or End-of-Year Activity

While “Dear Teacher” letters are often written by parents, teachers can also turn the "Dear Teacher" letter into a meaningful end-of-year writing activity for students that builds connection and reflection. It gives students a chance to express who they are in their own words—what they enjoy, what they hope for, and how they learn best. Whether used at the start of the year to break the ice or at the end of the year to reflect and look ahead, it encourages student voice and helps teachers understand their learners on a deeper level.

Beginning of the year: Have students write a letter to their new teacher to share their interests, goals, or even worries.

End-of-the-year: Use the letter as a tool for reflection and a way to pass along valuable insights to next year’s teacher.

This simple activity not only supports smoother transitions but also empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey.

Female teacher smiling at her desk in a bright classroom, surrounded by books, a map, and classroom supplies.

How Teachers Can Respond to and Use the "Dear Teacher" Letter

If you’re a teacher receiving these letters, they can offer valuable insight as you prepare for the year ahead.

Use them to:

Plan for differentiated instruction
Arrange seating
Communicate with support staff
Build early rapport with students

Even a short response like "Thank you, I look forward to getting to know Emily!" can reassure parents and help them know that their efforts are appreciated. Many teachers also use the insights as part of their own teacher resources or planning checklists during the back-to-school season.

Notepad on a desk with the words "Key Takeaways" written in script, next to a pen and glasses.

Key Takeaways: Writing a Meaningful "Dear Teacher" Letter

Before you get started, here’s a quick reminder of what matters most. These tips will help you write a letter that’s clear, thoughtful, and truly helpful for your child’s teacher:

✅ Use a "Dear Teacher "letter to share your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning style.

✅ Choose a printable or digital template that you can download to make the process easier.

✅ Keep the letter concise-ideally to one page with bullet points or short paragraphs.

✅ Highlight key accommodations and resources that support your child.

✅ Consider using it as a writing activity for students or part of your end-of-year plan.

✅ A "Dear Teacher" letter strengthens home–school communication, fosters understanding, and helps build relationships that can lead to better outcomes in the classroom.

✅ You can find free customizable templates and helpful resources on My Happy Teacher.

Whether you're looking for a way to encourage students, foster communication, or simply help your child feel seen and understood, a "Dear Teacher " Letter is a small act with a big impact.

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