Ever wonder what happened to that primary school teacher? Want to tell a secondary school English teacher "thanks" for insisting everyone learn how to outline a paragraph? Finding a teacher might seem a difficult proposition, but the following tips can help get your search started.

Check with the school office and identify yourself as a former pupil. Make sure the teacher is still teaching there. If not, the school office may have an idea where a former teacher went. Follow that trail by speaking to other school offices. Speak to any other teachers that taught at the same time.

  • Ever wonder what happened to that primary school teacher?
  • If not, the school office may have an idea where a former teacher went.

Contact teacher associations, retired teachers organisations and the local education authority. See if they have an address for the old teacher. They may not give the contact information but might be willing to forward a letter or email.

Use Internet search engines to search for the teacher's name. Use quotation marks around the name and use all variations of the teacher's name, such as William and Bill, Debra and Debbie. If the name is common, try narrowing it down by adding other pertinent information, like "John Smith" and "Edinburgh." Also check Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

  • Contact teacher associations, retired teachers organisations and the local education authority.
  • Use quotation marks around the name and use all variations of the teacher's name, such as William and Bill, Debra and Debbie.

Search the online telephone and email directories. If there are too many results, narrow the number down by using geographic areas. Other public record searches, such as electoral rolls, can be helpful.

  • Search the online telephone and email directories.
  • Other public record searches, such as electoral rolls, can be helpful.

Explore genealogical and family history sites. Many of these have obituaries, death and marriage records, as well as address directories. Some may charge a subscription price, but many are free.

Register at a class reunion website. Look for other former pupils and ask if they have any information about the old teacher.

Consider paying an online search company. As with any company, ask about their refund and complaint policy. Check online review sites for positive and negative comments. Verify what kind of information is provided. Be aware that much of the provided information may come from free sites that anyone can use.

TIP

Contact a local librarian to help with Internet searches.

Unique information will narrow down the number of results when using search engines. A church affiliation, a spouse's name or a hobby can help find the right person in these searches.