During all the hustle and bustle of back-to-school season, teachers don’t necessarily need yet another item to add to their list. But we’re here to make the argument that sending a teacher introduction letter to parents and families is worth the extra effort. Plus, once you create a letter you like, you can use it year after year with only minor tweaks! Here’s why and how to write your letter, plus some free templates to make the whole process easier.
Jump to:
- Why You Should Send a Teacher Introduction Letter
- What to Include in Your Introduction Letter
- Examples of Teacher Introduction Letters
- Teacher Introduction Letter Templates Overview
- Teacher Introduction Letter to Parents FAQ
Why You Should Send a Teacher Introduction Letter to Parents
With so many school communications going out before the year begins, you might wonder if one more is really necessary. But this letter plays an important role in building a friendly, professional relationship with families. By sharing a bit about your background and teaching style, you help build trust and show that you’re a caring, capable partner in their child’s education. It also helps ease any nerves by giving families a glimpse of the person who will be spending so much time with their child each day.
Perhaps most importantly, this letter encourages parents to actively participate in their child’s education. It provides your contact information, and allows you to set expectations for how you’ll communicate with and respond to parents. This letter sets the tone for the school year ahead, and helps parents, guardians, and students have a better idea of what to expect.
You can send this letter (which is usually no more than one page) via postal mail or email. At the elementary level, parents might prefer an actual letter they can post on their fridge or family bulletin board. For parents of older students, an email might be best. (And if you have to pay for the postage yourself, email is fine at any grade level!)
Teacher Intro Letter vs. Meet the Teacher Handout
A teacher introduction letter is meant specifically for parents and guardians, to establish trust and build a sense of connection and partnership. It includes information about your professional background and teaching philosophy, and has a slightly more formal tone.
A meet-the-teacher handout is designed for both students and their families to read. It includes fun facts about their teacher, and often a photo or two. It’s not usually a formal letter; it tends to include graphics and other interesting design elements instead. Find our collection of Meet the Teacher templates here to learn more.
What should your teacher introduction letter to parents include?
Clear Subject Line (Email Only)
We’ve all got more emails in our inbox than we’ll ever read, so it’s important to make your subject line clear and imperative. You want parents and guardians to know that this email is worthy of their time! Your subject line should make it immediately obvious that this a letter from their child’s new teacher, preferably with your name included.
Examples:
- Welcome to 3rd Grade! — A Note from Ms. Nelson
- Meet Your Child’s Third Grade Teacher, Olivia Nelson
- Introducing Myself — Ms. Nelson, Your Child’s Teacher
- Hello from Your Child’s New Teacher, Ms. Olivia Nelson!
Friendly, Professional Introduction
Set the tone for your letter (and the school year!) by using a warm and friendly voice to introduce yourself to parents and students. Tip: If possible, personalize this section by including the student’s name and class information—it’s helpful for parents who may have more than one child at the school.
Education Background
Take a moment to highlight your education, experience, and skills to give them a better idea of your professional background and qualifications. Be sure to share any special training or certifications you’ve received. This is also a good place to mention why you chose a career in education, if you’d like to share.
Teaching Philosophy
There are many reasons why parents might find it harder and harder to leave their children in a classroom. Showcase your passion, teaching philosophy, and love for being a teacher, and let them know you are open and available to discuss any of their concerns during the school year.
Overview of the Year Ahead
This is your opportunity to build excitement and let parents and guardians know what to expect during the school year. Mention the major skills kids will be building or topics they’ll focus on, as well as a few of your own favorite projects or experiences. You don’t need to include everything here; just hit a few highlights and emphasize the overall tone of the year ahead. Think of this like the “Chef’s Picks” section on a menu; it builds excitement for the best of what’s to come.
Parent Involvement Invitation
This section is really key: it’s your opportunity to stress to parents that their involvement can have a direct impact on their child’s success. At the elementary level, remind parents of the importance of monitoring homework, attending parent-teacher conferences, and reading all communications. For secondary students, emphasize the need to help build independence in their student, while still welcoming any questions or concerns parents may have.
Contact Info and Preferences
For many families, this will be one of the most important parts of the letter, as it lets them know how to get in touch with you. Remember that it’s okay to set some boundaries here; the point is to set expectations for how and when families can communicate with you. Tip: You don’t need to be available 24/7! Let them know how soon they can expect to hear back from you, and if you prefer one form of communication over another, mention that too.
Warm, Professional Closing
All that’s left is a sentence or two to close out your letter, and your name! If you’re sending this via mail, make an effort to sign your name personally if possible. If it’s an email, simply sign your full name. (Optional: If you like, you can include your preferred pronouns below your signature.)
Examples of Teacher Introduction Letters to Parents
Here are two examples of introduction letters. You’re welcome to copy and paste the text of these letters to your own document, editing and adjusting as needed!
Teacher Introduction Letter Example for Elementary School or Preschool (Mail)
Dear Parents,
My name is Olivia Nelson, and I’m so excited to welcome your child to my third grade class this year at Sunshine Elementary. Students usually call me Ms. Nelson, but you’re welcome to call me Olivia.
This is my 13th year teaching and my fifth year in 3rd grade here at Sunshine. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Acme University and a master’s in Reading Education from Springfield University. I became a teacher because I’m passionate about helping children see and understand the world in new ways. While I’m especially committed to building strong literacy skills, I also love exploring science and math with my students and helping them connect what they learn to the real world.
This year, your student will be learning challenging new skills like multiplication, division, fractions, parts of speech and irregular verbs. Students will take part in a mock election (always a favorite activity!). and they’ll use project-based learning to explore the history and cultures of Africa. In the spring, all students will participate in the school’s annual science fair, and we’ll close out the year with a field trip to Gotham Science Museum. There’s so much to look forward to!
My experience has shown that children thrive when parents are actively involved in their education. Talk with your child daily about school, review their learning materials, and help them see the value of education. Attend school events when you can, and consider volunteering through Sunshine Elementary’s Families in the Classroom program. I’ll share updates, reminders, and progress reports through ClassDojo and Remind, so please check these apps regularly. Together, we can make this a great year of learning!
You’re welcome to contact me using any of the methods below, although you’re likely to find it easiest to reach me using the Remind app. Please note that I don’t respond to messages on the weekends unless it’s an emergency. Otherwise, you can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours in most cases.
- Remind App: @msnelsonsunshine7
- ClassDojo: SE27408J
- Phone or Text: 555-224-2649
- Email: olivia.nelson@sunshine.edu
I’m so excited to get to know your child and your family, and proud to be a part of your child’s learning journey!
Warmly,
[signature]
Olivia Nelson
Teacher Introduction Letter Example for Middle or High School (Email)
Subject: Meet Ms. Nelson, Your Child’s 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
My name is Olivia Nelson (students usually call me Ms. Nelson) and I’m pleased to welcome your child to my 7th grade social studies class this year at Sunshine Secondary school. This is my first year as a 7th grade teacher, after earning my degree in Secondary Education with a minor in Spanish from Springfield University earlier this year.
To me, education is all about helping students understand why the things they learn truly matter. As a social studies teacher, I work hard to make my lessons diverse and inclusive, so every one of my students has a chance to see themselves reflected in our materials and resources. I encourage active participation and spirited discussion in the classroom, while emphasizing a need for respect and kindness.
In 7th grade social studies, the first half of the year is dedicated to world geography, while the second semester focuses on civics. Students will have the chance to choose a country they’d like to learn about in-depth, spending time creating a project and presentation for our school’s Cultural Diversity Fair. They’ll also visit our state’s capital to tour the Congressional Building, and participate in a mock trial in the classroom to understand more about our justice system. It’s a busy year for seventh graders!
As kids grow, they need more independence, but it’s still important to stay informed about what your child is learning, and offer guidance to help them stay on track. I hope to see you at school events this year and encourage you to join Sunshine Secondary’s active PTA. Don’t forget to follow our school’s social media for updates, photos, and important info.
You’re welcome to contact me using any of the methods below, although you’re likely to find it easiest to reach me using the Remind app. Please note that I don’t respond to messages on the weekends unless it’s an emergency. Otherwise, you can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours in most cases.
- Remind App: @msnelsonsunshine7
- Phone or Text: 555-224-2649
- Email: olivia.nelson@sunshine.edu
I’m looking forward to the chance to meet you in person at Meet the Teacher night on August 24. This is going to be a terrific year of learning for everyone!
Sincerely,
Olivia Nelson (she/her)
7th Grade Social Studies, Sunshine Secondary School
Teacher Introduction Letter Templates Overview
Want to write your own letter, but not quite sure where to start? These templates make things easier. They’re all fully editable, with fun but professional borders. You can also simply copy and paste the text of your chosen template into a new document or email, and make any adjustments needed. We’ve put together four teacher introduction letter templates for all grade levels.
Teacher Introduction Letter to Parents FAQ
Why is a teacher introduction letter important?
With so many school communications going out before the year begins, you might wonder if one more — like a teacher introduction letter — is really necessary. But this letter plays an important role in building a friendly, professional relationship with families. It lets parents know who you are, why they can trust your guidance, and what their child has to look forward to this year — without needing a full syllabus, just a “sneak peek” of the highlights. Most importantly, it sets the tone for open communication and encourages parents to stay actively involved in their child’s learning. Download our teacher introduction letter templates to get started.
How is a teacher introduction letter to parents different from a meet the teacher handout?
A teacher introduction letter is written for parents and guardians to establish trust and build a sense of partnership, usually with a more formal tone and information about your background and teaching philosophy. In contrast, a meet-the-teacher handout is a more casual, visually engaging resource meant for both students and families. It often includes fun facts, photos, and eye-catching design elements. For inspiration, explore our collection of Meet the Teacher templates.
When should you send a teacher introduction letter?
Send your introduction letter as soon as you receive your class lists, or about a week or so before classes start. Prepare your letters or email in advance, so all you have to do is address and send!
Should you send a teacher introduction letter to parents via mail or email?
This one-page letter can be sent by mail or email. Elementary parents may prefer a printed copy to post at home, while email often works best for families of older students — and it’s a great option at any grade level if you’re covering the cost yourself.
Ready to write your own? Grab your free editable templates!
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