The origins of Teacher’s Appreciation Day
The famous day of celebration for teachers and education in general has been an important part of schools’ life for decades. But, for some of you who wonder how it started, here is the “genesis†of Teacher’s Appreciation Day.
US Teacher’s Appreciation Day
It all began in 1944, in Arkansas, when the teacher Mattye Whyte Woodridge thought of a new way to thank teachers for their commitment. That was when she became to get in touch with politicians and educational leaders in order to establish one precise day recognizing the work of teachers. A few years later, in 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to implement for the first time a Teacher’s Appreciation Day.
In the 1980s, Teacher’s Appreciation Day became the brainchild of the National Education Association (NEA), the largest employee organization in Education existing since then. Indeed, it gathers no less than 2.8 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, schools administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. In 1980, responding to NEA’s demand, Congress declared that the first Tuesday of March of each year would be Teacher’s Appreciation Day in the USA. This means that the actual date varies from year to year -in Massachussets, however, Teachers are celebrated on the first Sunday of June-.
World Teacher’s Appreciation Day
In 1994, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated October 4 as World Teacher’s Appreciation Day. Yet, the actual date changes according to the country. In fact, this date usually reflects a specific aspect of the own History of the country because it is important that people recognize their own culture so they can commit.
In Bolivia for instance, “DÃa del Maestro†occurs on June 6. This date is the birthday of a famous Bolivian educador named Modesto Omiste tinajeros. This teacher and politician initiated the first public schools in Bolivian and made accessible education for all.
In Taiwan, Teacher’s Appreciation Day is also full of national symbolism. Celebrated on September 28, it is the birthday of the famous philosopher Confucius whose philosophy emphasized individual morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.
At last, the most important isn’t it to celebrate Teacher’s Appreciation Day in 2010 wherever you live or wherever you’re from?
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