How do I word this? Or should I just not?

[sugarbear]

A very difficult parent of a brilliant but high maintenance child just wroth this email to me:


"I was hoping to see you at graduation and say thank you, but there were so many other people there and our family. How can I ever convey to you how important you were this last year to XXX. Who knows? He may end up being a history teacher because of you. He really appreciated how he felt understood by you and supported. I know there were many days where he found school meaningless and boring and I don't think his mind was captivated. This was never the case with your classes. We are trying to teach him that he must still press on in life even when things are boring or seem meaningless.

We are so grateful to you for your dedication to your teaching and your students, but especially to XXX."

I guess this is an AW, too.

I'd really like to ask her to "thank" me by sending a similar note to my principal. He wasn't present in our lasses much thus year and I'd like for him to hear this feedback about me. Our head of school has fired a few teachers this year, and while I'm not nervous, I would like principal and head is school to hear this message. 

Can I ask this of the mother? How should I word it?

[RoxMonster]

Could you just forward the e-mail on to your principal or mention it to him via word of mouth? Something like, 'I was really excited because I had this reluctant student this year, and his mom just e-mailed me to say _____." I don't think I would personally ask a parent to write an e-mail to my principal. I would probably write back and say, 'Thank you so much for the kind words. It's always nice to hear that as an educator," but don't know that I would go so far as to say, "Hey, can you also let my principal know?"

[sugarbear]

Jun 9, 2013 16:32:55 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

Could you just forward the e-mail on to your principal or mention it to him via word of mouth? Something like, 'I was really excited because I had this reluctant student this year, and his mom just e-mailed me to say _____." I don't think I would personally ask a parent to write an e-mail to my principal. I would probably write back and say, 'Thank you so much for the kind words. It's always nice to hear that as an educator," but don't know that I would go so far as to say, "Hey, can you also let my principal know?"

That's what I thought. 
I will thank her for her kind words and then either forward or mention to my principal.

[margotmacomber]

Forward it yourself silly.

[daisycat]

I think I would respond to the parent with a thank you and then cc the principal on the email.

[snickers]

Very nice!
I would definitely ask her to forward it to your principals email.

[goaskalice]

I'm on the others who said cc the response. That way you're letting him know, and also showing your gracious response as well Getting an unexpected thank you always makes my day. Congrats.