WASHINGTON — The National Education Association is joining students, families, and communities nationwide to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025. This year, the NEA is also urging lawmakers to stand up for public school educators and students, who are facing unprecedented challenges under the current White House administration.
“During Teacher Appreciation Week, communities across the country will come together to recognize the more than 3.8 million public school educators who work tirelessly to support every student—no matter their race, background, or ZIP code,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Teachers inspire our children to reach their full potential. They are shaping the future by helping students grow both academically and personally, preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow. Every day, teachers guide our students toward a future filled with promise and possibility.”
This year’s celebration carries extra significance as it comes while public schools are under attack by the current administration. Donald Trump’s actions threaten the 90% of students—and 95 percent of students with disabilities—who attend public schools and rely on public school funding. Furthermore, the administration’s plan to shut down the Department of Education also risks critical educator job training.
“Throughout the week, we are turning our appreciation into action that protects students, strengthens public schools, and ensures educators are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve,” said Pringle. “From our social media pages to the offices of our representatives and senators, this Teacher Appreciation Week we’re taking action to fight for the future our students deserve.”
Last week, NEA released four new reports examining educator pay from pre-K through college, which showed that while many teachers are seeing increases in their paychecks, more work needs to be done. Our nation’s educators are undervalued and underpaid, and we must take steps to address this lack of professional respect. Salaries continued to trail inflation over the past decade, the reports show, harming schools’ ability to retain quality educators.
“There’s no greater tribute to teachers than standing up for public education,” said Pringle. “Educators need us all to demand that our elected officials protect essential services for students and teachers. We must never allow quality education to be sacrificed for the benefit of Elon Musk and other billionaires.”
National Teacher Day began in 1953 when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt proposed that Congress set aside a day to acknowledge the work of educators. Since 1985, NEA has celebrated National Teacher Day on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. To learn more about all NEA is doing to help celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, visit nea.org/TAW.
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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.
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