National PTA(R) Honors Educators Across the US During Teacher Appreciation Week

ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwired - Apr 11, 2013) - Everyday in schools across the US, teachers touch the lives of millions of children. However, a teacher's work and impact reaches far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. From grading papers to preparing arts and crafts projects to meeting with parents, teachers spend countless hours to ensure students' success. To honor the time and dedication of these teachers, National PTA® celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week on May 6-10, 2013.

"Much like a parent, a teacher's work is never done. We know that teachers go above and beyond the call of duty today, and we want to recognize that by sharing simple, yet thoughtful ways to thank a teacher in your child's life during PTA Teacher Appreciation Week," said Betsy Landers, National PTA President. "We also encourage parents and families to look for ways to remain involved in their child's education throughout the school year by working with teachers to create a positive learning environment for both students and staff."

Here are just a few ways to honor a teacher.

• Host a breakfast - gather other parents and staff to join you in showing appreciation for teachers.
  
  
• Dedicate a book - have a copy of your teacher's favorite book donated to the library in his/her name.
  
  
• Say thank you - sometimes a simple, but personal notecard or email is all it takes to make a teacher's week. Or have students and parents create a giant thank you card together for display in the school lobby. Make sure teachers hear the value of their work from the students themselves by sharing thank you messages through art work, videos or poems.
  
  
• Help stock a classroom - contribute classroom materials such as paper, stickers, chalk, ink pads or any other little extras.
  
  
• Encourage your child to interview his/her teacher and write a short story. Publish stories throughout the year in the school's paper.
  
  
• Decorate the teacher's lounge - place flowers, notecards or snacks to make the lounge a teacher's retreat.
  
  
• Coordinate a car wash and invite school staff and teachers to get their vehicles washed for free.
  
  
• Organize student contests that will help them get to know their teacher better such as a "guess the baby picture" game.
  
  
• Encourage participation - make sure students serve on the planning committee for your Teacher Appreciation Week pep rally, assembly or other events. 
  
  
• Enter your teacher in Promethean's Thank A Teacher Contest - grand prize winners will be awarded a trip to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference in San Antonio, TX, June 23rd-26th, 2013. Promethean, a proud national sponsor of PTA, will kick off the contest on May 1. To enter, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/ThankATeacher 
  
  

For more ideas and other resources to help celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, visit http://pta.org/thankateacher and our new Pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/nationalpta/.

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.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

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