How to Find an Old School Teacher

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Trying to find an old school teacher who put you on the right path in life? While finding a long-lost contact used to be a challenge, this may be a lot easier than you’d think! Whether you just want to see what they’re up to or you want to express some gratitude for all of their hard work, we’ll walk you through every option out there when it comes to locating old teachers you used to know.

1

Check the school’s directory.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most schools have a directory, which lists their employees and contact info. Go to your old school’s website and look for a tab that says “staff,” “directory,” or “contact us” to see if your old teacher is still there. If they are, you can go visit your old school to see them or send them an email. [1]
    • Some school districts and schools do not list teacher information on their website. If you can’t find anything like this, it may not exist.
    2. Advertisement
2

Contact your old school directly.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Visit the main office when school is in session. Explain that you’re an old student and tell them why you’re trying to reach your old teacher. If the school keeps records with contact info, they may pass along a phone number or email address. [2] [3]
    • If someone at the school remembers you, ask them for help. Even if the main office won’t lend you a hand, an old teacher who knows you just might.
3

Google your teacher's name.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Put your teacher’s name in quotes to only pull up results that match their name. Try searching for their name plus the school you went to combined with the city where the school is located. [4]
    • Example searches might include: “’Dan Garcia’ St. Joseph’s Cincinnati,” or “Ms. Swavorsky Munster High School Springfield Wyoming.”
    • Even if they aren’t at the same school, their bio on their new school’s website might mention that they worked at your old school, or that they’ve been teaching in your city for a certain number of years.
    2. Advertisement
4

Search social media.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    On LinkedIn, search your teacher’s name and look for connections who worked at your old school. You can also pull up your school and scroll through the current and past employees. On Facebook, search their name in the search bar. Look for profile photos that look familiar or profiles that live in the town where you went to school. [5] [6]
    • You can try searching Instagram, Twitter, and other social media sites if you’d like. But LinkedIn and Facebook are the only platforms where people use their own names by default.
    • On Facebook, look for profiles with mutual friends. A lot of students friend their old teachers once they graduate.
5

Contact your old schoolmates.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Shoot your old classmates texts or message them on social media to ask if they’ve spoken to the teacher you’re looking for. Wanting to reach out to an old teacher is super common, and one of your old schoolmates may have already done the work for you. [7] [8]
    • You might send your classmate a message like, “Hey! Long time no talk. I hope you’re doing well. Random question: do you know where Ms. Palmer is these days? I’ve been trying to get in touch with her.”
    2. Advertisement
6

Ask other teachers for a lead.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Are you friends with one other old teacher on Facebook? Reach out to them and let them know you’re looking for an old teacher. Even if they don’t have a number or email address for you, they’ll definitely help you search for the teacher (plus, they’ll know who to ask). [9]
    • It helps if you really drive home that you want to thank the teacher you’re looking for. Teachers and school staff really love hearing from students who want to express gratitude, so they’re sure to lend a hand. [10]
7

Reach out to the alumni association.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you still can’t find your old teacher, look online or call the school to see if there’s an alumni association. If there is, contact them and ask the head of the association if anyone knows how to reach your old teacher. If anyone would have a lead for you, it’ll be the people in this association. [11]
    • This is an especially good idea if you went to school in a smaller town and/or if you attended a school with a tight-knit community.
    • Your old teacher may even be a member of the alumni association—especially if they went to that school growing up.
    • If there’s a local teacher’s association, you could try contacting them.
    2. Advertisement
8

See if your school district’s books are public.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some school districts and states maintain open records for certified teachers. Check your state’s education department’s website and your school district’s website for a teacher lookup tool. It’s not a sure thing, but they may have an email address for your old teacher. [12]
    • Unfortunately, if your state/district doesn’t publish certification info or your old teacher was never certified, this may be a dead end.
    • If you went to a public school, check to see if the district union’s membership records are public. It’s extremely unlikely that they are, but it’s worth a shot.
9

Try a public records search engine.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Look-Up-Old-School-Teachers-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A lot of these “background check” and “people finder” sites are shady. However, a few of them should be helpful here—especially if you’ve already gathered some other information. [13] Here are some reputable options:
    • True People Search is probably the cleanest free tool out there. If you have your teacher’s name and city, the site will scour public records and published data to give you contact information.
    • Social Catfish will pull up any public contact information for your old teacher if you have their name and city locked down.
    • Family TreeNow focuses on genealogy, but you can actually pull addresses for people based on their name and city. You’d only be able to write your old teacher a letter, but this should work!
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Other wikiHows

      How to
      Get Effects on Snapchat
      How to
      Relieve & Prevent Headaches & Migraines Fast
      How to
      Quickly and Easily Unclog a Toilet
      How to
      Use Uber for the First Time: Complete Beginner's Guide
      How to
      Take a Screenshot on a Windows PC: 8 Simple Tricks
      A Complete Guide to French Braiding Hair
      How to
      Play Poker
      How to
      Take Care of Potted Orchids
      How to
      Make a Piñata
      How to
      Make Guacamole
      How to
      Meditate
      How to
      Surf
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.worldprivacyforum.org/optoutkids/
      2. ↑ https://whattobecome.com/blog/how-to-look-up-old-school-teachers/
      3. ↑ https://www.thelifevirtue.com/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      4. ↑ https://howigotjob.com/articles/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      5. ↑ https://howigotjob.com/articles/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      6. ↑ https://www.thelifevirtue.com/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      7. ↑ https://howigotjob.com/articles/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      8. ↑ https://www.thelifevirtue.com/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      9. ↑ https://howigotjob.com/articles/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      1. ↑ https://www.distractify.com/p/tracking-down-teachers
      2. ↑ https://www.thelifevirtue.com/how-to-find-an-old-teacher/
      3. ↑ https://www.oct.ca/Home/FindATeacher
      4. ↑ https://www.sfweekly.com/townnews/computer_science/10-totally-free-people-search-websites-engines/article_bedbafb7-bc13-51b0-85e8-f368034ee252.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 97,171 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Dach Semblery

        Jan 1, 2023

        "I appreciate the various avenues you give without having to search through the Library of Congress, exposing my ..." more
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement