May 3, 2007

LANSING - National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11, as declared by the National Parent Teacher Association and supported by the State Board of Education. May 8 of that week is designated as Teacher Day.

In its resolution supporting National Teacher Appreciation Week, the State Board noted that: “Throughout Michigan and across the country, teachers open children’s minds to the magic of ideas, knowledge, and dreams. Teachers fill many roles such as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors. Their hard work and efforts are directly responsible for creating the leaders of tomorrow.”

The State Board of Education continually has supported teachers with several quality initiatives, including the Michigan Teacher of the Year Program, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and the Milken National Educator Award.

The goal of Teacher Appreciation Week is to raise national, state, and local awareness of the importance of teaching in our society.

The Michigan Department of Education encourages schools and communities to appropriately recognize their teachers and express appreciation to them for a job well done.