NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
National Teacher Appreciation Day is on the Tuesday during first full week in May as a reminder to show appreciation for teachers everywhere. We are using this National Day to say thank you to all teachers for their time and dedication to educate our children.
#TEACHERAPPRECIATIONDAY
National Teacher Appreciation Day is also known as National Teacher Day. The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day “as a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”
Teachers play a critical role in educating and shaping our children into the future leaders of our country. These kind, patient, hard-working, dedicated, and understanding professionals help mold our children and guide them in positive directions. We entrust our children with teachers during the school year and they play a pivotal role in their lives daily.
No matter where we are in life, a teacher influenced us. They continue to impact our lives every day, too! When we meet new employees with a wealth of skills and abilities, know a teacher helped shaped them. Every new business owner, doctor, engineer, or nurse can name a teacher who inspired them. Every one of us has at least one teacher in mind who encouraged and motivated us during our education. Take the time today to say “Thank You” to the exceptional teachers you know. Take a moment and reflect on the teachers in your life.
SHOW A TEACHER GRATITUDE
- Refill classroom supplies. Many teachers stock their classrooms with the supplies they need to effectively teach. However, many teacher buy supplies out of their own pockets. Replenishing crayons, pencils, or construction paper is a small token of appreciation for a teacher.
- Write a letter showing your support for your child’s favorite teacher. Kind words are a small way to encourage a teacher by reminding them the impact they are making in the lives of students.
- Volunteering at your school is a way to give teachers a much needed break. Every day, schools rely on parent support for many programs to succeed. For instance, volunteering to be a cross-walker before and after school or a playground monitor relieves a teacher from those duties.
- Use #TeacherAppreciationDay or #NationalTeachersDay to post on social media.
BRIEF HISTORY
Political and educational leaders began discussions for a day to honor teachers in 1944. In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim National Teachers’ Day. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day. The National Education Association continued to observe National Teacher Day on the first Tuesday in March until 1985. The National PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May when the NEA Representative Assembly voted to make the Tuesday of that week National Teacher Day.
