Celebrating Teachers

According to the Holiday Insights website, the first Tuesday of the first full week in May is always National Teacher Appreciation Day (sometimes called National Teachers Day). This year, that means that today is the day to celebrate the teachers in your life. From kindergarten teachers to college professors, today is a specific day to appreciate their work. Whether that is because you are a student or maybe you are married to or otherwise related to a teacher or even a friend to one, today is the day that you should take time to celebrate their commitment to a profession that is crucial for the advancement of society and knowledge.

The National Education Association (NEA) website explains the history of National Teacher Day:

“The origins of National Teacher Day are murky. Around 1944 Arkansas teacher Mattye Whyte Woodridge began corresponding with political and education leaders about the need for a national day to honor teachers. Woodridge wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt, who in 1953 persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day.  NEA, along with its Kansas and Indiana state affiliates and the Dodge City (Kan.) Local, lobbied Congress to create a national day to celebrate teachers. Congress declared March 7, 1980 as National Teacher Day for that year only.  NEA and its affiliates continued to observe National Teacher Day in March until 1985, when the NEA Representative Assembly voted to change the event to Tuesday of the first full week of May.”

Obviously, this day has special importance to me since my sister, Lisa, is a teacher and my mom was on the School Board for many years.  I also have several dear friends who teach in ages ranging from Pre-School on through High School and even Sunday School.   I think that appreciation for educators in all forms was and is highly valued in my family.  We know that teaching doesn't mean that "it's nice to have summers off" or  "it must be great to be off work by 3 every day" or "I wish I got to have all those holidays and snow days".  No, in my family we know the truth.  If you took all the hours that a teacher REALLY puts in and then divided that through 12 months, you'd understand that we are the ones who have it easy.  Teaching is hard, unappreciated, misunderstood, often maligned, and let's not even start talking about having to deal with the parents.  I don't have enough space here for that topic.  But teaching is also rewarding, occasionally miraculous, enriching, and we should all thank the gods above for creating those special people who are called to enter into this profession.

Teaching deserves daily recognition, of course, but sometimes we need a day set aside to remind ourselves to appreciate those who have taught us, are teaching us, or will soon teach us. Teaching is a profession that people should pursue out of a love for their subject and for helping others connect to and learn about that subject. Teaching is a commitment to others. Today is a day to recognize and appreciate that.  Take a moment today to share a story about your favorite teacher.  Tweet about it or Facebook it or just get it out there however you feel inspired to do so.  What is your favorite school memory?  What teacher said or did something that you still carry with you to this day?  

And if you’re related to a teacher, take time today to hug, kiss, and thank them. Without teachers, life would be decidedly more difficult. Learning would take longer, be more frustrating, and be more an individual experience as opposed to a society one. Teachers commit their careers to helping others reach their goals and learn about the past, present, and future.

Teachers do more than just provide us the path to knowledge. They become our counselors, mentors, friends, and family. They help us find our passions while also providing protection and love.

Today, I will be thanking all the teachers I know. Hopefully, so will you.

The pictures below are for my sister, Lisa, who has an almost unnatural obsession with newly packaged office and school supplies.  :)  I knew you would really love these!