YWCA Celebrates Our Teachers During National Teacher Appreciation Week
National Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated during the first full week in May of each year. We cannot possibly express how much we appreciate our YWCA early learning teachers and staff in just one week, but we will enjoy celebrating with fun activities and small gifts to show them our sincere gratitude.
Teachers Shape the Future
Teachers play a critical role in educating and shaping our children, the future leaders of our country. They are kind, patient, hard-working, dedicated and understanding professionals who mold our children’s lives in a positive direction. We entrust our children with teachers, and they affect children’s lives on a daily basis.
History
Political and educational leaders first began discussions for a day to honor teachers in 1944. In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim National Teachers’ Day. The National Parent Teacher Association established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week in May.
Why Our Child Care Staff Love Teaching
“Outside of my family growing up, teachers were the biggest influences in my life. I have been an educator since 2001 and each day I not only teach the children in my classroom something but also learn something from them. I still enjoy sharing laughter daily with our children and talking one-on-one with them as much as possible.”
-Vicki Johnson, YWCA Preschool Teacher
“I like watching the children as they learn and grow. To see a child as they accomplish a task that once caused them great frustration, or seeing the amazement in their face as they learn something new. I love working with children who come into the center speaking little to no English and watching their progression as they begin to speak full sentences with confidence and a smile. It is very rewarding!”
-Jamie Garland, YWCA Preschool Teacher
“Teachers everywhere share a common denominator, the gift of knowledge! It is a compliment to watch a young child explore and enjoy the knowledge you share with them.”
-Pat Moreno, YWCA Toddler Teacher
What will you do for Teacher Appreciation Week?
Here are just a few ways we will honor our teachers:
- Cards signed by children and families
- Catered breakfasts and lunches
- A popcorn bar
- Making special treats in classrooms
- Tacos with the theme "Lets TACO 'bout how awesome our teachers are"
- Chair massages
- Gift cards and other small gifts
We are extremely grateful for our teachers and their hard work. We are very excited to honor them this week, and continue to show our gratitude all year!