ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - May 2, 2011) - Every day, teachers touch the lives of students, parents, and communities in significant ways. To show appreciation for their work and dedication, National PTA® celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, May 1-7.
Since 1984, National PTA has designated the first week in May as a time for communities nationwide to honor teachers for being a guiding force in helping children develop into healthy, happy and successful adults.
Here are some ways to celebrate educators during Teacher Appreciation Week:
All-school events: Host a breakfast or lunch. Plan a school assembly or classroom program to honor teachers.
Parents' thanks: Send a notice home with all students to request that parents take time to write a personal note to their children's teachers or ask parents to e-mail teachers a note of thanks during the week.
At the car wash: Coordinate a car wash and invite the school staff and teachers to get their vehicles washed for free. Hang a banner outside the school entrance to let the community know that "We love our teachers and staff."
Priceless thanks: Try arranging a few different ways for children to say how they feel about their teachers: personalized notes, poems, decorated paper flower petals, construction-paper clouds, or colorful handprints are some good ideas.
Stress away day: Request a few professional massage therapists to come and give 15-minute head, neck, shoulder, hand, or foot massages to the teachers and staff during planning or lunch periods.
For more ideas and other resources to help celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, visit