National Teacher Day – May 2, 2023

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National Teachers’ Day is observed on the first Tuesday of the first full week of May (May 6) and we’re more than ready to show our appreciation to those who have taught us. Everyone has had that favorite teacher that has helped inspire them. This day meant to honor them was actually made by a teacher. None other than First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt herself. Eleanor Roosevelt was more than Franklin D. Roosevelt’s wife, she has a history of civic duty and was an advocate for fellow teachers. Her love for education began at a young age when she was privately tutored and encouraged by her aunt Anna “Barnie” Roosevelt. No matter how high she rose on the social ladder, she never forgot where she came from. There are plenty of education scholarships available if your favorite teacher has inspired you to become an educator.

When is National Teachers' Day 2025?

Teachers, coaches, senseis, and mentors are celebrated on National Teachers Day on May 6.

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History of National Teachers' Day

In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt stood up to Congress in hopes of convincing them that teachers needed a day to be recognized for all that they do. Until that point, the celebration of the day wasn’t clear. It’s believed that some schools in certain states were already observing the day, but there wasn’t a clear consensus and she wanted to make it official.

The National Education Association (NEA) in partnership with the Kansas State and Indiana State Boards of Education, lobbied Congress in order for the day to be recognized. Despite her best efforts, the first National Teachers’ Day didn’t become an official national day until 1980.

At its inception, National Teachers’ Day was celebrated on March 7 until 1984 when it was moved to May. Thanks to the assistance of the National PTA, it evolved into Teacher Appreciation Week, giving teachers more time to bask in appreciation. A year later, the NEA  established that the first Tuesday of the week would be National Teacher Appreciation Day.

Today, the official national day celebrates teachers by gift-giving and the showering of accolades from students and parents alike. The hashtags #TeacherAppreciationDay and #NationalTeachersDay are used on social media to show teachers making a difference to the world at large.

National Teachers' Day timeline

1953 Eleanor vs. Congress

Eleanor Roosevelt takes the idea of National Teachers' Day to Congress.

1970s Education Boards Assemble

The National Education Association teams up with the Kansas State and Indiana State Boards of Education lobbies Congress to make National Teachers' Day an official national holiday.

1984 From March to May

National Teachers' Day is moved from March 7 to the first Tuesday of May, therefore creating National Teacher Appreciation Week.

1985 It Must be Tuesday

The NEA makes the first Tuesday of May National Teachers' Day.

2000s Teacher in the 21st Century

Social Media is used to recognize educators on a global scale.

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National Teachers' Day Around the World

National Teachers' Day Around the World
Country Holiday Occasion Date
Albania Teachers Day Celebrates the opening of the first school where lessons were taught in the Albanian language. March 7
Bhutan Teacher’s Day Marking the anniversary of the birth of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who introduced modern education to the country. May 2
Brazil Teachers Day Established by a decree regulating elementary schools in Brazil. October 15
Estonia Teachers Day Students grant leave to teachers by conducting lessons themselves. October 5
Guatemala Teachers Day To commemorate teacher María Chinchilla Recinos who died during a violent riot in protest against the government. June 25

Traditions of the Day

A teacher is not just limited to the classroom. It can be anyone who you look up to or has taught you lessons in life — a friend, a family member, or a mentor (just like Mr. Miyagi in “The Karate Kid”). The day is all about thanking teachers for imparting knowledge and wisdom, and inspiring us to be better versions of ourselves. 

Cards and gifts are sent to teachers as expressions of gratitude. Teachers get plenty of mugs throughout the year, so gift cards are a great alternative. Teachers themselves celebrate the day by having get-togethers or mini parties in the staff room.

By the Numbers

33% – the percentage of teachers who leave the profession within the first three years. 

7,000,000 – the estimated number of teachers in the United States.

14% – the percentage of fewer earnings that teachers make compared to other professions requiring similar levels of education.

10 hours – the average hours a teacher works in a day.

52 – the average number of hours worked by teachers in a week.

92.4% – the percentage of teachers who spend their own money on classroom activities or students.

2–3 times – the likelihood of minority teachers working in high-poverty and high-minority schools.

59 years – the modal age of retirement for teachers. 

28% – the percentage increase in males entering teaching as a profession.

20% – the percentage of public school teachers who have second jobs outside of teaching.

National Teachers' Day FAQs

What is National Teacher Appreciation Week?

Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 starts on Monday, May 3, and ends on Friday, May 7. Teachers, mentors, senseis, and any other guiding figures in our lives are honored on this week-long celebration.

Is October 5 National Teachers Day?

National Teachers Day is observed on the first Tuesday of the first full week in May. World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5 every year.

Why is World Teachers Day on October 5?

In 1994, October 5 was selected by UNESCO for celebrating World Teachers’ Day because, on this date in 1966, a precedent for the Status of Teachers and their rights was established at a special intergovernmental conference in Paris.

National Teachers' Day Activities

  1. Make it personal

    There are only so many apples a teacher can consume, why not make it personal? Write a letter to your favorite teacher, properly expressing what they mean to you. Be sure to detail specific examples, letting them know that you’ve noticed them. It’s sure to warm their hearts once they realize how much of an impact they’ve made.

  2. Offer your assistance

    A teachers’ workload can be heavy. Long hours at school and after school on top of having to account for all of their students in their classes can be taxing. Offering your assistance can help lessen the load they carry. Perhaps they need their room cleaned or they could use help grading papers. These small acts stack up and make a huge difference.

  3. Instagram it

    With their permission, post them on your social media account and express just what makes them stand out. We all need inspiration sometimes, even those whose job it is to inspire. By recognizing them on a grander stage, you can uplift their spirits and inspire other students to think about the teachers in their lives that have influenced them.

Five Surprising Facts About Teachers

  1. Dancing with the First Lady

    At the beginning of her career, Eleanor Roosevelt was a teacher of dance and calisthenics.

  2. Numbers game

    There are over 3 million K-12 teachers in the US  and over 55 million students.

  3. Going rogue

    Massachusetts celebrates their teachers on the first Sunday of June, possibly to enjoy the break away from work.

  4. Growth potential

    Pre K-12 teachers form the largest occupational group in the US.

  5. Retirement Advantages

    Most teachers are eligible for a 401(k) plan and a 403(b) plan because of the nature of their employer i.e. public schools.

Why We Love National Teachers' Day

  1. We see you

    Teachers take on so much and ask for so little. Their job is one of the most important in the world, shaping young minds and teaching them important lessons. In order for them to do their job effectively, it’s only right to encourage them so that we have a brighter tomorrow.

  2. They stay with you

    If you ask any famous athlete or singer who their favorite teacher is, it’s likely that they already have them in mind. Life is hard and it’s easy to doubt yourself, but our favorite educators know just when to lift us up and remind us of our potential. They see our greatness before we do and that deserves respect.

  3. Knowledge is power

    Our greatest tool is knowledge and teachers are the purveyors of it. Teaching is an age-old profession. Everyone from Albert Einstein to Aristotle were educators that have affected the world on a scale that’s immeasurable. There’s a need to keep this legacy of continued knowledge going so that we may learn and grow from it.

National Teachers' Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 May 6 Tuesday

National Teachers' Day related holidays

MonOct 5Featured

World Teachers' Day

TueOct 27Featured

​National Mentoring Day

FriNov 20Featured

Future Teachers of America Day

See More

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