JPS WEEKLY VOLUME 8 || ISSUE 30 || APRIL 28, 2025
Editors: Saanvi Budigam | Nikhil Prabhu | Kavya Joshi | Manav Mehta
Honoring Educators: The History and Significance of National Teacher Appreciation Week NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK APPRECIATE OUR EDUCATORS Every May, schools across the nation celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week—a time to honor the dedication and impact of educators. But how did this tradition begin, and why is it more relevant than ever? Roots in Advocacy The story starts in 1944, when Arkansas teacher Mattie Whyte Woodridge began advocating for a national day to recognize educators. She wrote to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who shared her passion. In 1953, Roosevelt persuaded Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day, though it wasn’t yet an annual event.
The movement gained momentum in 1980 when the National Education Association (NEA), alongside school districts and lobbying groups, urged Congress to create a formal observance. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day. By 1984, the celebration shifted to May, aligning with the end of the school year. The following year, the NEA established the first full week of May as National Teacher Appreciation Week, with Tuesday of that week designated as National Teacher Day.
A Week of Gratitude Today, schools and communities use this week to celebrate teachers through thank-you notes, gifts, assemblies, and social media shoutouts. The National PTA’s concurrent "Teacher Appreciation Week" emphasizes the collective effort to honor educators.
Why It Matters Now Teachers have always shaped futures, but recent challenges—from the COVID-19 pandemic to shifts in education technology—highlight their resilience. As former First Lady Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Teachers nurture those dreams daily. How You Can Participate This year (May 5-9), take a moment to thank your teachers. Whether through a handwritten card, a classroom decoration, or a simple “thank you,” your recognition matters. After all, behind every successful student is a teacher who believed in them first. Let’s make this week a reminder—not just in May, but year-round—of the profound impact educators have on our lives.
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