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Get your apples ready and sharpen those pencils, because the Third Monday in January is Elementary School Teacher Day! On this day, dedicated to the inspiring role models who shape young minds, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude for these tireheads and their indispensable work. Believe it or not, this day came into existence in the 1940s when during a similar period of challenges and change, people saw the power of education and wanted to show gratitude towards their educators. What began as a local tradition has since grown into a national day of appreciation for teachers everywhere. So let's get excited about paying homage to our amazing elementary school teachers who are molding our future change-makers every day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1940s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Holiday Origins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Elementary School Teacher Day originated from local community appreciation events for teachers during challenging times in the 1940s.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Increased recognition of the day at a national level, as communities across America joined in celebrating educators.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Shift to January</div><div class='timeline-text'>The date of the Elementary School Teacher Day was officially settled as the third Monday of January each year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Day Observance</div><div class='timeline-text'>The day is now widely acknowledged with teachers receiving gifts and thank-you notes, and schools hosting special events.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Online Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the advent of social media platforms, the appreciation for teachers extends to online platforms - hashtags and digital thank-you notes become commonplace.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Teaching Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Amid the global pandemic and shift to virtual learning, there's a renewed recognition of teachers' adaptability and resilience.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Write heartfelt letters</h3><p class='facts-text'>Encourage your child to express their appreciation for their teacher in a written letter. They can reminisce about their favorite moments in class or write about the biggest lesson they've learned. Children could also draw a picture, write a poem or simply say thank you in their unique way.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a surprise party</h3><p class='facts-text'>Coordinate with the school and other parents to organize a surprise party for the teachers. This could include a special lunch, games, and a token of appreciation from each student.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Present a commemorative video</h3><p class='facts-text'>Put together a commemorative video with messages from students, alumni, and other teachers. Showcasing memorable moments and achievements throughout their career will surely make their day special.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Decorate their workspace</h3><p class='facts-text'>Arrive at school early and decorate the teacher's workspace with flowers, balloons, and artwork by the students. Walking into a festively decorated room would surely kick-start their day in a joyful manner.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Provide a day off</h3><p class='facts-text'>If possible, arrange for substitute teachers or parent volunteers to cover the classroom for a day, giving these hardworking educators some much-needed rest. A day off on their 'day' can be the perfect gift!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Appreciating Our Teachers</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Elementary School Teacher Day gives us an opportunity to express our gratitude and recognize the hard work that these individuals do on a daily basis. It is an occasion to show how much we appreciate their patience, passion, and dedication to teaching our young ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrating Education</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>This day is not only about appreciating individual teachers, but it's also about honoring the value of education as a whole. It takes this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment towards quality education and the role it plays in shaping futures.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Engaging Children in Expressing Gratitude</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Making children a part of this celebration, be it through writing letters, or organizing surprise parties for their teachers, not only makes the day special for teachers but also instills in them the value of expressing gratitude and showing respect.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many Famous Individuals were Elementary School Teachers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Elementary School Teacher Day celebrates a profession that once included notable personalities like author Robert Frost, former Prime Minister of Canada Kim Campbell, and President Lyndon Johnson, who all started their careers as elementary school teachers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Teaching was Initially a Male-Dominated Profession</h3><p class='facts-content'>Even though teaching is often seen as a woman-dominated profession today, it was primarily male-dominated in the early 19th century. It is interesting to look back at how the field has evolved over time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Teachers Often Spend Their Own Money for Classroom Supplies</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the United States, it's not uncommon for teachers to invest their own money to provide classroom supplies. This holiday also aims to highlight and appreciate these personal investments made by teachers towards delivering better education.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Apple Symbolism is Rooted in History</h3><p class='facts-content'>The tradition of giving an apple to a teacher has roots dating back to frontier times, where families whose children attended schools were often responsible for housing and feeding their educators, hence an apple was an affordable and widespread token of appreciation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Modern Teaching Techniques Vary Wildly</h3><p class='facts-content'>In parallel with technological advancements, teaching techniques have evolved significantly - from chalkboards to interactive digital boards, handwritten assignments to online submissions. This day recognizes teachers' abilities to adapt and implement these advancements.</p></div></div>
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