Every year, a week in May is set aside as Teacher Appreciation Week. For this year, the actual week has been a bit confusing. Many schools and businesses are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this week, while others have designated next week as the time for showing thanks to teachers. I'm a person that likes to deal with certainties and this ambiguity was bothering me. After some investigating, I found the following:
"National Teacher Appreciation Day, also known as National Teacher
Day, is observed on the Tuesday of the first full week in May. In 2017, National Teacher Day will take place on May 9th. This day is part of Teacher Appreciation Week, which is the first full week in May of each year. " (Source)
I think the discrepancy has occurred all because of one day--Sunday. This week is the first full week of school, but not the first full week on the calendar. That will be next week. I really believe that is why it is being celebrated by some this week, and others next week. There is probably a lesson in here about paying attention to descriptive terms---like "full" before "week".
As I tried to understand why it wasn't being celebrated the same week nationwide, I realized what's most important in all this. While it's nice to have a dedicated week for all the celebrations, we need to let teachers know they are appreciated throughout the whole year. If you are an educator, take a moment to reflect on those times when you've received a kind gesture or a few words of appreciation--a parent thanking you for working with their child; an administrator acknowledging your contribution to a big school/class/grade project; a student creating a picture or card stating how much you mean to them--"You're the best teacher ever"--; or a former student stopping by tell you they are pursuing their dream and have you to thank for always being supportive of them. These are the gifts that truly let you know the impact you have made on others.
Teacher Appreciation Week is a nice way to let teachers know on a big scale that we appreciate them. However, I assure you that you are appreciated every day.
While many schools celebrated Teacher Appreciation this week, it will also be celebrated nationally next week. Consider it "Twice the Appreciation". Maybe before too long we can add 50 more weeks to these two and make every week Teacher Appreciation Week.
