During Teacher Appreciation Week and EVERY week, Wisconsin Public School educators go above and beyond to keep students learning, safe and supported. Thank an educator who makes a difference in your life by posting a thank you note today. Your message will be shared across Wisconsin and your featured teacher may be selected for special recognition.
This year, May 5-9 is national Educator Appreciation Week. With this special attention focused on educators, there is the opportunity to rally public support for public schools and the people who work in them.
This toolkit includes some recommendations for amplifying Educator Appreciation Week in your local association. You can also, any time of year, encourage colleagues and community members to go to WEAC’s Thank a Teacher page to give special recognition to an educator they know.
Turn Appreciation into Action
Help educators know just how appreciated they are by taking action: Write to Congress, learn how to make your voice heard locally, or share a message on social media, tagging @NEAToday, and using #ThankATeacher.
Teachers deserve fully funded classrooms, fair wages, support staff, and respect. This Educator Appreciation Week, here is how we can help them get it:
Write to Congress: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/protect-federal-funding-public-schools-and-colleges
Speak Out Locally: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/toolkit-ideas-organize-locally-protect-students-and-public-schools
Share a Video Message: https://nea.soapboxx.com/question/TAW2025
“How Can I Help?”
During Teacher Appreciation Week, educators are often asked how parents and the general public can show their appreciation. We have a set of recommended responses for turning this sentiment into action.
- Send a personal note: A nice hand-written letter – or even just an email or text – from a parent, caretaker, sibling or student goes a long way.
- Shout your praise: Tell everyone you know, one at a time or all at once by tagging them in a social media post.
- Spread the good news: Parents, caretakers, and families can share stories about how educators go above and beyond for students.
- Volunteer to help: An educator’s work is never done. Offer to pitch in some time before or after school to help your school’s teachers.
- Advocate for public schools: Urge your policy makers to support equitable investments in the tools and resources that students need.
Social Media
In this environment, social media posts focused on appreciation can garner extra attention. Below are recommended graphics and messages for each day of Teacher Appreciation Week for members to use and share.
Monday, May 5
It’s Educator Appreciation Week. One thing you can do to show your appreciation is to send one of the educators who work your child, or a teacher in your community who you know, is write a personal note about how you recognize their contributions and support them. Also, you can write to your congressional representatives and tell them to protect public school funding.
Tuesday, May 6, National Teacher Day
Today is National Educator Appreciation Day. If you say, Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day to an educator you know, they will appreciate it. What they would probably appreciate even more is your advocacy for public education in Wisconsin. Contact your elected officials and express your support for elected officials who support equitable investments in the tools and resources students need.
Wednesday, May 7
It’s Educator Appreciation Week. Today is a good day to shout your praise for the educators in your community. Tell them one at a time and/or tag them in a social media post. You can also thank that educator on the WEAC Thank a Teacher page.
Thursday, May 8
It’s Educatopr Appreciation Week. Today is a good day to spread the good news about public schools and the people who work in them. Share a story about how an educator made a profound impact on your life or repost an article about an educator who went above and beyond for their students. Share the same story on the WEAC Thank a Teacher page.
Friday, May 9
It’s Educator Appreciation Week. An educator’s work is never done. Offer to pitch in some time before or after school to help your school’s teachers. Your offer will be appreciated and so will your help. Also, you can write to your congressional representatives and tell them to protect public school funding.
WEAC Statewide Message
In our latest statewide radio message, WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen encourages continued partnership between parents and educators to keep students learning.
Solving the Educator Shortage
WEAC is working hard to advance solutions from frontline educators for solving staffing shortages in our schools. Professional pay, realistic workloads and a voice in school decisions are among what educators need.