Should I send a postcard to a teacher I had 20 years ago?

I taught decades ago, and, just speaking for myself, it would give me great pleasure if a student took the time to write to me after all of these years.

What would you say in your letter?

I guess it’s ok to be contacted 20 years later if there is something you want to say or share or ask or express. I did have a student from back home whom I had no contact with contacting me 20 years later because his family immigrated to the US and he wanted me to know that he lives in the same country now, different state. I was totally thrilled to hear from him. I also knew his parents really well. It was very interesting to me to hear all that. He didn’t look me up, he contacted school I taught snd he attended back home and asked if anyone kept in touch. I got married and changed my last name since etc

If you have something to say to her and had a special connection I guess there is no crime to write her a note.

Have you thought about her do you have a special something to share with her? I have a college professor who I often think about. She was an excellent professor and my thesis advisor, when I’ve moved to the US she also moved but to the opposite side of the world. We said our good byes and haven’t spoken since. I’d not mind finding out how things are where she is at etc Me and her have some funny stories between us. My daughter was little and I would bring her to uni when I had to meet with my advisor. I am sure she remembers me

What I am trying to say was there something specific you want to tell her or what would write to her? What would she write to you? Is there something you two have in common? Is there something to discuss? What’s the importance of connecting to this particular teacher?

You are writing to say hello after realizing it was her and her husband you just bumped into (remind her of when and where). You didn’t recognize her in the moment so thought you’d reach out as you remember her fondly.

I’d think you’d write something to that effect.

She did recognize her.

“I almost directly recognised her but didn´t dare to say to her that I did. I´m more or less sure she didn´t recognise me. We chatted briefly about the weather and the café until her husband came to the table with their coffee.

They rather soon left the table and I then regretted not telling her I recognised her as my former teacher”

Of course she could say in a letter that she didn’t want or fell uncomfortable acknowledging it then, but decided to reconnect later

Thanks. What would you think of a former student who looked you up to find your home address? (Like I did with the teacher I´m thinking of sending a card).

Would you consider to write something back?

As I saw this teacher just once a week during one or two semesters it´s not that she was head of class and she must have had many other students besides me. At the same time; to be remembered and to get a card could itself be a fun thing and a reason to write back to me. It´s hard to know what some other person would find intrusive or not.

Thanks. If I send her a card I would write that I found her classes fun and interesting and that I sometimes stayed after class to help her arrange chairs and clean the whiteboard for her. I would also tell her that we sometimes chatted a little after class and that I appreciated that.

I would of course also tell her that I recognised her at the café and that I found it fun to meet with her. I would also tell her in what course I had her and what study program I went to.

It´s not that I have very big reasons to write to her, I would just find it rewarding to show her I remembered her after such a long time and perhaps she´ll find it fun to write back to me.

I don´t know if she´ll find it odd or more of a fun thing. White pages are available to all and as she´s the only one with her name in this area she´s easy to find.