Thank a teacher this Teacher Appreciation Week

Write a letter or draw your favorite memory from this school year

May. 8, 2023 7:15 am

First grade teacher Kari Wilcox works with her student Kentrell Pettis on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Arthur Elementary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

If you ask a teacher what their favorite part of their job is most will say it’s the kids.

Teachers are patient, hard-working and dedicated to positively molding the lives of all their students. They spend countless hours preparing lessons, evaluating progress, counseling students and families and overall educating students.

Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated the first full week in May, which is May 8-12 this year, is a time for students and families to show their gratitude for all the time and energy teachers put in to their work.

The idea for Teacher Appreciation Week began when first lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to create a day to recognize educators in 1953, according to U.S. News and World Report. It became a national day March 7, 1980, after the National Education Association and some state boards lobbied -- or advocated -- for it.

In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association designated the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.

The National Parent Teacher Association suggests celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this year by thanking a teacher with a small gift or sharing appreciation for a teacher on social media using the hashtag #ThankATeacher. Another way to support teachers is to advocate for policies that support educators.

Kids can thank their teachers by making a homemade craft or card.

How Can You Write A Letter?

Here are some questions to consider when writing a letter expressing your appreciation for your teacher! You could also use these prompts to draw something to show your appreciation!

What are your favorite classroom activities and why?