How to Become a Teacher's Pet

Last Updated: March 9, 2023 Approved

A teacher's pet is someone who is greatly favored by a teacher. To become a teacher's pet, it will take a bit of work, but the results are phenomenal. When you're a teacher's pet, the teacher is more likely to accept excuses from you, and you are guaranteed a good high school recommendation. Depending upon your personality, being a teacher's pet can be very difficult if you don't know what to do. Remember though, being a teachers pet is not always an important or nice thing!

Steps

1
Dress appropriately. You want to make yourself presentable. Wash and brush your hair, brush your teeth, shower and wear deodorant. Try to wear smart and professional things. One of the most important things is to not wear pants that are falling down or a shirt that shows your stomach; you and your friends may think it's cool, but showing your teacher that you make an effort to come to school is much better. In addition, always dress according to the weather, because doing so shows that you want to be safe and warm and avoid becoming sick.^{[1]
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2
Decide what teacher you wish to be the "pet" to. Is it going to be your homeroom teacher, a PE teacher, an art or music teacher, the teacher of your favorite subject(s), or all of them? You might want to start with the "nicest" teacher, or with the subject you know the most about. If you want to become teacher's pet to multiple teachers, make sure you have time to manage all the extra effort you should put into their class. Acknowledge that classroom as your home turf; you're going to learn a lot about that subject soon, and become an expert, so you might as well feel at home in the place where it's taught.

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3
Act confident on the first day and ask good questions. Unless they are talking about their personal life, "What's your favorite sports team?" will not go over very well. Teachers love kids who are quiet when they speak.^{[2]
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4
Come prepared to the teacher's class. You always want to have all the homework done with a lot of effort put into it. Projects should be ready to turn in soon after being assigned, and try your best to be creative in all of your work. Also, you might want to read over a lesson before the day it will be taught; doing so will enable you to be prepared for a class discussion and impress your teacher with your knowledge of the subject.^{[3]
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5
Get involved in classroom discussions! Any answer you give shows the teacher that you were listening, and any well thought question shows the teacher how you are trying to apply what they teach to real life. In a class where everyone seems asleep, raising your hand shows that you care.^{[4]
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6
Don't talk when the teacher tells you not to talk! This one is pretty simple. Don't laugh at the class clown either because that supports him/her interrupting the class, which will encourage them to do this more. Do not speak when the teacher is speaking and don't talk back, because the teacher will get upset, causing you to maybe lose their trust.
7
Do your homework. If possible, go the extra step and talk to your teacher about what you can do to improve your knowledge on the subject. Talk to him/her about what you learned and how much you enjoyed their lesson (they'll love this). However, avoid talking about these things too much, as teachers can sense false sensitivity.
- Ask for extra credit. This shows that you want a high grade. If they say no, don't whine. Just say "Okay, see you tomorrow!"
8
Choose your words carefully, when faced with a writing assignment. Don't use slang language, as it will show them that you don't care if your writing is good or bad. Make your writing meaningful, so that after a long night of correcting, the teacher will look forward to reading yours! Avoid writing too much, though. You don't want to make that long night of correcting longer by forcing your teacher to read your Great American Novel.
9
Be nice. Teachers don't like people who start fights or contribute to them. Try to stay away from the goofballs of the class. Furthermore, you should help out whenever possible, whether it be the teacher or another student.
10
Get good grades. Study for any test that comes up. When you receive the test back, ask the teacher how to do the ones you got wrong (you might want to do this in private). You don't have to point out that this is because you want to know better for next time; there's no other reason why you'd ask, and you're not looking for a goody-two-shoes label.
11
Try to understand the subject they teach as best you can. Ask if there are any books they can recommend to you.
12
Offer to pass out papers. Also check if help is needed with any other classroom chores.
13
Bring your teacher little heartfelt gifts, on occasion. Cookies, "number one teacher" ribbons and cards always show you care. They will highly appreciate your kindness.
14
Talk to your teacher in your free time. Discuss anything you want, and don't just limit it to school; teachers are human also! Joke around a little, but don't be too wild.
15
Defend your teacher. If you see or hear any other classmates insulting the teacher, stick up for him or her. You never know where your teacher has eyes or ears. Also, being a teacher's pet is a two-way relationship, and this relationship will function much better if you like the teacher in question as well.
16
Wave or say "Hi" to him/her when you see him/her. People like it tremendously when someone acknowledges them.
17
Appear as hard working as possible. Bring in extra thoughtful questions, and if you're a bit shy, don't be afraid to go after school. "Oh, I forgot to ask you..." is a good starting line. You can also spend some spare time in your teacher's office, if the situation allows.
18
Remember to say hello and goodbye to the teacher. When you arrive in the morning say a cheery "Hello". At the end of the day say things like "have a good evening!".^{[5]
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19
Be apologetic if you get into trouble. If for any reason you happen to get punished by your teacher and you become furious, try not to lose your temper. At the end of the lesson, "Goodbye Miss/Sir, I am sorry for (whatever wrong thing you did) I'll try not to repeat it again." is a good thing to say to cool down your teacher if he/she is frustrated with you.

Sample Thank You Notes

Sample Thank You Note to Elementary School Teacher

Sample Thank You Note to Middle School Teacher

Sample Thank You Note to High School Teacher

Community Q&A

Question

Is it a good idea to sit in the front of the room?

Community Answer

Yes, that is a good idea. Sitting in the front will help you concentrate and avoid distractions, and the teacher might be more likely to call on you if you're front and center.
Question

What do I do if I was the teacher's pet at the beginning, but am no longer?

Community Answer

Try to regain the teacher's trust. Use some of these tips above to help. Bring a small gift or card on an occasion (such as World Teachers Day).
Question

My teacher can be mean and humiliates me sometimes. What should I do?

Community Answer

Tell their superior, and tell your parents. Teachers are not supposed to be doing that.

Warnings

Your classmates might become jealous and/or make fun of you.

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Helpful 87 Not Helpful 6
Many of your classmates may see you differently for this, so be very casual about doing this. Other students might make rude comments, such as calling you a pervert, etc. It may depend upon the school, but you can't be too careful.

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Helpful 66 Not Helpful 9
Attempting to achieve success through winning a teacher's favor, rather than being legitimately skilled at a subject, is an irresponsible behavior that yields only short-term benefits. In the long-run, one is better off relying on oneself for success, rather than using a teacher's disposition to gain it unfairly.

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Helpful 58 Not Helpful 8
Many teachers do not appreciate or respect "pets." Beware of these teachers and try to tone down your effort to please them. This kind of teacher can usually be won over by being really good at the subject.

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Helpful 62 Not Helpful 9
Don't try to win over a teacher because you want it easy without being prepared to work hard to win that teacher over. No teacher will ever take you as their pet without you doing their homework on a regular basis. Becoming a teacher's pet is not an easy method to get rid of homework!

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Helpful 52 Not Helpful 9
Being a teacher's pet can have some benefits, including that they might be more accepting to your excuses, but never overdo the excuses! They will eventually lose respect for you and you will no longer be a "pet." When you eventually do slip up (like all other humans) apologize and give the excuse you have. Only let this happen a limited number of times.

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