Your mentor has spent many hours helping you through your product, so it is important that your express your thanks. Rather than purchase a card-shop thank-you note, take the time to write a personal note; or write a thank-you letter. A copy of the thank-you should be included in your portfolio. Here are some guidelines to follow:
1. Start your thank-you with Dear____________ ,
2. Be sure to include mention of what you are thanking your mentor for. A statement beginning with, “I want to thank you for all of the hours you spent helping me carve my walking stick,” or “I want to thank you for allowing me into your classroom to observe and help the children develop their reading skills.” Express your thanks simply and directly.
3. Next, include a line or two to say specifically what you appreciate about your mentor: a specific quality, feature, or action would be appropriate. “You were always there when I needed you, and you always seemed happy to see me when I arrived for our sessions,” or “Your skill on the guitar was an inspiration to me throughout each of my lessons,” or “You had such great patience with me, even when I made really big mistakes.” Just be sure that you are honest in your comments.
4. Finally, you should end the note with a general statement such as, “You have really made a difference in my life, and for that I am truly grateful,” or “My Senior Project would not have turned out so well without your help,” or “You have really opened my eyes to how helpful an adult can be,” or “I hope that you will continue to mentor young people, because you have so much to offer.”
5. Some further thoughts:
¨ Be sure to close the note with a word or phrase such as "Sincerely," or "With gratitude," and then sign your name!
¨ Whatever you do, never belittle your mentor’s help in any way!
¨ Make sure your mentor’s last impression of you is a good one.