Program Events: PTA Teacher Appreciation Week

PTA Teacher Appreciation Week^SM 2012 is
May 7–11. Plan to host a teacher appreciation event in your school or community.

Sometimes a simple thanks is all a teacher needs to feel valued. Sometimes a school wants to do more for those at the heart of learning.

Join PTA's Thank-A-Teacher Facebook page and the PTA Great Idea Bank to share Teacher Appreciation Week ideas.

At Barnard Early Childhood Center in New Rochelle, New York, the children were each given a sheet of paper to decorate with a thank-you for their teachers. The school PTA^® mounted the resulting poems, drawings, and heartfelt notes on poster board and, late one evening, hung them throughout the school as a surprise for the teachers. According to PTA co-president Alysa Vasapolli, “The teachers were emotional and overwhelmed and want[ed] to keep their posters as mementos.”

Teachers at Brookview Elementary School in Indianapolis, Indiana, were surprised with “Academy Awards” at a schoolwide assembly in the gymnasium, decked out with stars and spotlights for the occasion. The PTA honored every teacher and staff member, from administration to teachers to janitors and lunch ladies. “The kids were absolutely amazing during this ceremony,” wrote Carissa Dollar, president of Brookview Elementary PTA. “They screamed and cheered for our staff just like they would have cheered for their favorite stars. They slapped high-fives with teachers and chanted their names as each winner stepped up onto the red carpet to receive their golden apple. The teachers were totally surprised and genuinely touched by the whole thing.”

Since 1984, National PTA^® has designated the first full week in May as PTA Teacher Appreciation Week, a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children. PTA events at the national, state, and local levels celebrate the outstanding contributions teachers make.

2012 Teacher Appreciation Week Resources are now available.

Event Ideas

Activity Ideas
Ways to honor teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week

Ideas para Actividades (Activity Ideas in Spanish)
Ways to honor teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week

Third Party Resources

Join PTA's Thank-A-Teacher group on Facebook

Additional Resources

2012 Certificate of Appreciation
PDF

"Dear Teacher, Thank You!" poster
PDF

"Dear Teacher, Thank You" Stickers
Template for stickers/buttons (3 styles)

"How Will You Say Thanks?" poster
PDF