Each semester, the Thank-A-Teacher Program highlights the meaningful impact faculty and teaching assistants have on their students. In Spring 2026, 329 instructors and TAs across USC’s colleges and campuses were recognized through personalized notes of appreciation, many of which speak to the power of encouragement, mentorship, and transformative teaching.

These messages are shared with individual faculty and serve as a reminder that the time spent answering questions, providing feedback, and fostering supportive learning environments does not go unnoticed. Honorees also receive a formal letter and a certificate of appreciation.

Submissions for Fall 2026 opened Nov. 2 and close Thursday, Dec. 17. Students can thank as many instructors as they’d like, submit a written note or a short video message, and choose to remain anonymous. Faculty and staff are encouraged to share the Thank-A-Teacher Program with their students.

Below are a few notes from Spring 2026:

Student: Julie Chappell
Instructor: Kathryn Brackett
Course: ENGL 101 (USC Union)

“Thank you so much for a great semester in English 101! As a 51-year-old student navigating my first college experience, I was a bit nervous, but your class made the transition so much easier. I truly appreciated your teaching style. Your PowerPoints were always entertaining, and the little jokes you included in your lectures made the material so much more engaging.”

Student: Patricia Gilyard
Instructor: Nicholas Bolger
Course: ASLG 122

“Words cannot express what an impact the ASL classes with you this semester has done to open my eyes to the world of ASL. You should know that I will never ever forget this learning experience. Every time I see anyone signing, my mind will go back to this class... I graduate in May 2026; just one month before I turn 70 years old in June 2026. I would never have imagined that I would have had such exposure as a Senior Citizen my age.”

Student: Jeremiah Johnson
Instructor: Gabriel Staton
Course: MATH 111i

“I hope that you know how much of an impact your teaching methods have had on me. You explain things to such a thorough and incredible degree that I can’t even begin to imagine the efforts you’ve gone to in order to prepare this course’s material for us... I hate math, it’s a simple truth. But after having been in your class, I believe I can do the math I need for the future I want now. It doesn’t seem quite so daunting anymore.”

Student: Jamie Conrad
Instructor: Erin Davenport
Course: SOCY 311

“Taking 101 with you was the reason I decided to be a Sociology minor. I so greatly appreciate your teaching style and course structure... Taking your courses has improved my confidence in public speaking so much and made me feel like my thoughts and opinions are important. Thank you for always believing in me and helping me to make my voice heard. It has been an honor to learn with and from you these past three years.”

Student: Leah Lacovara
Instructor: Daniel Ostergaard
Course: IBUS 310

“I would have preferred to send you a written thank-you card, but my notecards were backordered, and I figured this was the next best thing. I wanted to take a second and tell you how much I appreciated your course. Your belief in me has completely changed my confidence and strengthened my belief in myself... You have inspired me to be great, and who knows, maybe even run for office one day.”

Student: Kate Leininger
Instructor: Alyssa Bagby
Course: MATH 141

“Thank you so much for being an amazing and super supportive TA. There aren’t many people out there that would put so much work into running a smooth recitation like you do. You’ve never judged me for asking silly questions and you never left me alone when I couldn’t figure out a problem... without you I wouldn’t have passed Calculus I.”

Student: Ibitein Okeafor
Instructor: Brian Chen
Course: HSPM 899

“Your patience in teaching and correcting my first HSPM 717 draft, when I got the interaction equations all wrong, is something I have not forgotten. I am glad that the knowledge from your class is now the foundation of my Aim 2... My parents were on the Zoom call and were truly elated to hear your warm and generous messages at my proposal defense. It was a moment our whole family will remember.”