Got an idea for a new holiday? Let us know!
Submit Holiday

National Teacher Day

Show your appreciation to teachers on National Teacher Day - thank them for their dedication and hard work in shaping young minds!
Introduction

Show your teachers some appreciation on National Teacher Day, which falls on Tuesday of the first full week in May! This day is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the vital role that teachers play in our lives. It was created by the National Education Association in 1953 and is celebrated annually to recognize all of the hard work and dedication that teachers put into helping students succeed. So take a moment to thank your teacher for all they do, or give them a special gift as a token of your appreciation. Together, let's make sure their invaluable contributions are appreciated!

History of National Teacher Day

National Teacher Day Dates

National Teacher Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1953</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Teacher Day's Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Education Association (NEA) in conjunction with Eleanor Roosevelt convinced Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Yearly Recognition Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>After much advocacy, the NEA and its affiliates established the first week of May as the official week for observing National Teacher Day annually.</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'>Tuesday of First Full May Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>NEA and its affiliates moved the official observation of National Teacher Day to Tuesday of the first full week in May.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Adding a Public Relation Component</div><div class='timeline-text'>The NEA began launching annual themes and public relation kits for National Teacher Day to further promote the cause.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Google Doodle Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>For the first time, Google celebrated National Teacher Day with a special doodle on its homepage.</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'>COVID-19 Pandemic Impact</div><div class='timeline-text'>Teachers showcased their resilience and adaptability, shifting to remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic, amplifying the importance and relevance of this recognition day.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate National Teacher Day

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a thank you card</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Put your appreciation on paper and let your teacher know how much you value their hard work. It's easy, it's meaningful, and it will put a smile on their face.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Gift a potted plant</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>A living reminder of the gratitude, select a potted plant that is easy to care for and can last for years. Your teacher will be able to enjoy the plant in their classroom or at home.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a video tribute</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite former students to record a video of themselves thanking their favorite teacher for all the lessons and support they gave throughout the years. Gather all the small tributes into one big thank you video.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send an eCard</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Don't have the time to send a real card? Send a virtual card instead! There are plenty of options online to choose from - funny or sentimental - your teacher will love it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan an appreciation lunch</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some of your favorite teacher's colleagues and plan a lunch in honor of the special day. It can be as simple as ordering pizza or as elaborate as hosting a five course meal at a fancy restaurant.</p></div></div>

Why National Teacher Day is Important

<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'>Teachers shape our lives</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Teachers are often the people who have the most influence on our lives. They provide us with knowledge, understanding and values that will stay with us throughout adulthood. Without teachers, we wouldn't be able to reach our full potentials!</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'>Teachers guide us in decision making</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Teachers are there for us when we need advice or guidance. They can provide us with the tools and resources needed to make informed decisions about our future. By listening to their words of wisdom, we can make choices that will best benefit ourselves and those around us!</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'>Teachers help create a better world</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By educating young minds, teachers help create a better future for all of us. Through their teachings, they promote acceptance, understanding and empathy - values that can bring about real change in the world. National Teacher Day is an important reminder of the power teachers have to shape a brighter tomorrow!</p></div></div>

5 Enlightening Facts for National Teacher Day

<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'>Teachers Spend an Average of 400 Hours on Unpaid Work a Year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Beyond the regular school day, teachers spend additional hours planning lessons, grading assignments and preparing classroom activities without financial compensation.</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'>Teachers Can Impact Lifelong Earnings of Students</h3><p class='facts-content'>Studies have shown that effective teachers can increase their students' future earning potential, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of a quality education.</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'>More Than Half of Teachers Use Their Own Money for Student Needs</h3><p class='facts-content'>Teachers often buy school supplies out of their own pockets to ensure that every student has equal educational opportunities.</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'>Teachers Undergo Continuous Training and Development</h3><p class='facts-content'>Teachers engage in ongoing professional development to improve their teaching skills and stay current with educational trends and research.</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'>Teacher Jobs are Expected to Grow in the Next Decade</h3><p class='facts-content'>With the increasing desire for quality education, the demand for teachers is expected to grow by three percent from 2018-2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</p></div></div>

National Teacher Day FAQs

When is National Teacher Day?

National Teacher Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

May 9

Tuesday

2024

May 7

Tuesday

2025

May 6

Tuesday

2026

May 5

Tuesday

2027

May 4

Tuesday

Appreciation Holidays