National Teacher Appreciation Day

Young students presenting a never-ending tray of cupcakes to their teacher. Classroom filled with chalk dust and apple-scented decorations creates a wholesome celebration scene.. — National teacher appreciation day illustration

How many cupcakes worth of appreciation does it take to celebrate teachers? Well, according to the internet on National Teacher Appreciation Day the answer is 'an infinite tray of them'. This adorable celebration pops up in our data as lighting up keyboards across the globe, with a whopping total of 15,923 mentions over the years! Buckle up as we dive into the chalk-filled, apple-scented history of National Teacher Appreciation Day.

When is Teacher Appreciation Day?

It's national teacher appreciation day on the 3rd May.

A Lesson in Appreciation

Teachers have been doing a bang-up job of educating us since the dawn of time, but it's only since the 20th century that National Teacher Appreciation Day became a thing. From Aristotle teaching Alexander the Great, to Mrs. Johnson explaining algebra to confused teenagers, teachers are pretty fantastic. But when exactly did we start showing our appreciation?

Gold Star for Effort

The most notable date in our data set is May 3, 2016. What happened on this day to cause a global out-pour of support for teachers? Well, the exact circumstances are unknown, but clearly teachers were pulling some serious weight to earn all that love! Perhaps some global high stakes paper plane competition or final exams preparation? Either way, good job teachers!

Apple, meet desk

The tradition of giving an apple to a teacher dates back to the 16th century, when poor families in Scandinavia would pay their children's teacher with food. Now, we have digital apples: messages of appreciation, virtual gifts, and heaps of cupcakes. Hashtag #NationalTeacherAppreciationDay anyone?

History behind the term 'Teacher Appreciation'

1953

Creation of National Teacher Day

In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim National Teacher Day. This day was designated as an opportunity for students and parents to demonstrate their appreciation and gratitude towards teachers who play a crucial role in education.

1985

Expansion to a Full Week

Following the efforts of the National Education Association (NEA), National Teacher Day was extended to a full week in 1985. This change allowed for more recognition and celebration of the extraordinary contributions that teachers make in shaping future generations.

1994

Official Proclamation of Teacher Appreciation Week

In 1994, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation declaring the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week. This proclamation solidified Teacher Appreciation Week as an annual occasion to honor teachers and acknowledge their vital role in society.

2020

Adapting to the Pandemic

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced new challenges for educators. Teacher Appreciation Week played a crucial role in highlighting the extraordinary efforts teachers put forth during these difficult times. Many individuals, communities, and organizations found creative ways to show their gratitude virtually or through socially distanced acts of appreciation.

Did you know?

Did you know that one of the earliest records of Teacher Appreciation Day mentions was in the early 1950s, when Eleanor Roosevelt convinced the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day? Talk about a cool history lesson!