National Teacher Appreciation Week

May 5-9, 2025

National Teacher Day (Tuesday, May 6, 2025)

Teacher Appreciation Week

Great teachers make great public schools. On National Teacher Day, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, we pause to acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education. 

#ThankATeacher

National Teacher Day, which falls during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2025), is a wonderful opportunity to remind the larger community of the value that teachers bring to the lives of children. It is also the perfect opportunity for school boards, school administrators, community members, and students to salute and thank those who touch the lives of children through teaching.

To help you celebrate . . .

  • Thank a teacher on social media. Be sure to include the #ThankATeacher hashtag in your message, meme, photo, or tweet.
  • Find more social media ideas, artwork, resources, and videos on the NEA.org website.
  • Use the images below to share on social media by right-clicking and choosing the "Save image as" option.

 

Thank you teachers
Cape optional

#ThankATeacher With Superhero Spotlights

Member Spotlight

NEA has put together a roundup of stories that showcase just a few of our exceptional educators going beyond the call of duty to help students succeed during a challenging and unconventional school year. Check out the full library of educator spotlight stories and share your favorites with #ThankATeacher.

Read More 

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 (KS) 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.