Writing teacher complement letter

  • Thread starter Thread starter waht
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Teacher Writing
Click For Summary
A student is inspired by their psychology teacher's engaging lectures and is considering writing an essay to commend the professor, seeking advice on whether sending it to the university principal could be harmful. The consensus is that such positive feedback is unlikely to hurt the professor and could even be beneficial. Constructive feedback may be more appropriate during end-of-term evaluations, but direct praise can also lead to teaching awards and recognition. It is suggested that the student also share the letter with the department chair and the professor to enhance the chances of the professor receiving accolades. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing effective teaching and the potential positive impact of such feedback on a professor's career.
waht
Messages
1,499
Reaction score
4
My friend was moved the way his psychology teacher gives lectures. He is considering writing a few paged essay, detailing why the lectures are so good, and effective. He asked me if it's ok to send the letter to the principal of the universitly. I really don't know. Could it hurt the professor in any way?
 
Science news on Phys.org
How could getting a compliment for giving a good lecture be in any way detrimental?

Not only that, if your friend is saying why its good then its also giving constructive feedback.
 
If your school does end-of-term ratings on profs, that might be the more appropriate time to do it, but otherwise I don't see how it can hurt.
 
Most schools give out teaching awards to recognize the best of the best (and these may or may not be worth anything when it comes to promotion evaluations and such, depending on Department and institution, amongst other factors). If your friend is truly moved, and truly feels the teacher is the best they've ever had (with some amount of experience), the first step is to getting the teacher one of these awards is usually to contact the Department Chair and get said teacher nominated, because really good teachers are a prized commodity, and should be recognized for it.
 
I don`t get how it could be hurting; but I have a request: can I/we have a copy of the feedback?
 
Yes, if he is really impressed with his professor, have him send a copy of the letter to professor's department chair as well as the professor. That might help with either promotion/tenure or obtaining teaching awards. And the professor will probably be thrilled to have a compliment rather than complaint sent!
 

Similar threads

Student Course Review for my 12 y/o ESL science student in Japan
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Admissions How good do recommendation letters for Master's programs have to be?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Other Name omitted from Professor's research paper- What should I do?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
Student loses Court Case over Plagiarism and Use of AI
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Admissions Bad and Good recommendation letters
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Contradictory statements made by two different professors about IQ scores
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Programs Questions About Referrals for Physics REUs (for Undergrads)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Teachers: Complex Intellectuals with Simple Emotional Needs
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
10K
Teacher recommendation from a teacher I don't like
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Admissions Asking for letter of recommendation from current professor?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K