National Teacher Day is observed on the first Tuesday of the first full week of May (May 2) and we’re more than ready to show our appreciation to those who have taught us. Everyone has had that favorite teacher that has helped inspire them. This day meant to honor them was actually made by a teacher. None other than First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt herself. Eleanor Roosevelt was more than Franklin D. Roosevelt’s wife, she has a history of civic duty and was an advocate for fellow teachers. Her love for education began at a young age when she was privately tutored and encouraged by her aunt Anna “Barnie” Roosevelt. No matter how high she rose on the social ladder, she never forgot where she came from. There are plenty of education scholarships available if your favorite teacher has inspired you to become an educator.
The background of National Teacher Day
In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt stood up to Congress in hopes of convincing them that teachers needed a day to be recognized for all that they do. Until that point, the celebration of the day wasn’t clear. It’s believed that some schools in certain states were already observing the day, but there wasn’t a clear consensus and she wanted to make it official.
The National Education Association (NEA) in partnership with the Kansas State and Indiana State Boards of Education, lobbied Congress in order for the day to be recognized. Despite her best efforts, the first National Teacher Day didn’t become an official national day until 1980.
At its inception, National Teacher Day was celebrated on March 7 until 1984 when it was moved to May. Thanks to the assistance of the National PTA, it evolved into Teacher Appreciation Week, giving teachers more time to bask in appreciation. A year later, the NEA established that the first Tuesday of the week would be National Teacher Appreciation Day.
Today, the official national day celebrates teachers by gift-giving and the showering of accolades from students and parents alike. The hashtags #TeacherAppreciationDay and #NationalTeachersDay are used on social media to show teachers making a difference to the world at large.
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NATIONAL TEACHER DAY ACTIVITIES
Make it personal
There are only so many apples a teacher can consume, why not make it personal? Write a letter to your favorite teacher, properly expressing what they mean to you. Be sure to detail specific examples, letting them know that you’ve noticed them. It’s sure to warm their hearts once they realize how much of an impact they’ve made.
Offer your assistance
A teachers’ workload can be heavy. Long hours at school and after school on top of having to account for all of their students in their classes can be taxing. Offering your assistance can help lessen the load they carry. Perhaps they need their room cleaned or they could use help grading papers. These small acts stack up and make a huge difference.
Instagram it
With their permission, post them on your social media account and express just what makes them stand out. We all need inspiration sometimes, even those whose job it is to inspire. By recognizing them on a grander stage, you can uplift their spirits and inspire other students to think about the teachers in their lives that have influenced them.
5 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT TEACHERS
At the beginning of her career, Eleanor Roosevelt was a teacher of dance and calisthenics.
There are over 3 million K-12 teachers in the US and over 55 million students.
Massachusetts celebrates their teachers on the first Sunday of June, possibly to enjoy the break away from work.
Pre K-12 teachers form the largest occupational group in the US.
Most teachers are eligible for a 401(k) plan and a 403(b) plan because of the nature of their employer i.e. public schools.
NATIONAL TEACHER DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | May 4 | Tuesday |
| 2022 | May 3 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | May 2 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | May 7 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | May 6 | Tuesday |
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