A teacher in Wirral was left laughing after a pupil's end-of-year card thanked him for helping her 'shine as much as your head'. Ryan Saunderson, 32, opened the card from Isla Howell, 10, which read: 'To Mr Saunderson, thank you for being a great teacher. You have really helped me boost my confidence and let myself shine as much as your head!'
Teacher 'surprised' but happy
Ryan, from Liverpool, said: 'It was a bit of surprise when I opened it, but it really made me laugh. I was actually quite happy that she felt like she could write something like that as well and have that joke with me - she obviously feels very comfortable to do that.' The year five teacher, who has taught Isla for three years and will teach her class again in September, said he often jokes about his own bald head with pupils.
Mum proud of 'hilarious' daughter
Isla's mother, Chloe Howell, 35, from Wirral, said the youngster came up with the line herself during free time at school. 'She's hilarious - she's got a great little sense of humour on her,' Chloe said. 'Isla is always taking the mick out of us at home and playing jokes on us. She says it all in context - she knows how to joke with people without hurting them.'
Viral reaction
Since Chloe shared a photo of the card on X (formerly Twitter), it has racked up more than 402,000 views. One user commented: 'This kid could be a comedian one day. What a lush keepsake.' Another wrote: 'The compliment is great, but the fact they feel safe enough to have that banter with you shows the kind of teacher you are and that’s the biggest reward.' A third said: 'Brutal honesty of children, love it.' Chloe said she is 'dead proud' of Isla and believes the card will be something they laugh about for years.
