Do you have a special teacher or educator who has been important in your life? This is the week to thank them! The first week of May each year is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Tuesday of that week is National Teacher Day. The National Educators Association sets this aside as “a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”
The origin of this day goes back to 1944, when political and educational leaders began talking about the need for a day to honor teachers. In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt pushed Congress to formally proclaim a National Teacher’s Day, and in 1980, it finally became official. There are many big and small ways to thank the teachers who have influenced your life – donate to their classrooms, volunteer your time, give a gift of appreciation, or send a note thanking them for their impact on your life!