How to celebrate World Teachers’ Day

World Teachers’ Day is globally celebrated every year on October 5. In 2024, World Teachers’ Day will be celebrated on a Saturday. Consider celebrating for the week leading up to October 5th in your school or classroom!

Let’s take a look at how teachers can celebrate and be celebrated during World Teachers’ Day.

What is World Teachers’ Day?

World Teachers’ Day is an international celebration that takes place annually on October 5. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, established World Teachers’ Day after adopting the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This recommendation sets standards for the rights and responsibilities of teachers, including their preparation, continuing education, recruitment, employment, and working conditions. 

According to UNESCO, World Teachers’ Day has three main objectives, “It is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally”. World Teachers’ Day is a time to recognize the importance of teachers in shaping the future of our world. 

Why is it important?

Teachers are the heart of the education system across the world. Teachers are passionate about equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to pursue their dreams. Teachers inspire curiosity and instill a love of learning in their students everyday. It takes a unique passion for children and learning for someone to become a teacher. Check out the reasons why Holly wanted to become a primary teacher in Glasgow. 

Teachers jump into their careers with excitement and passion for students like Holly shared in the video and celebrating World Teachers’ Day highlights the dedication, support, and hard work teachers display daily. I became a teacher after listening to stories of my mom’s classroom and how she impacted her students. After many years, her students still sent her cards and shared with her the ways she impacted their lives. I wanted to make the same difference in the lives of kids and was excited to build relationships with my students and help them grow. 

World Teachers’ Day also acknowledges the many challenges teachers face daily in the field. Challenges such as inadequate resources, overcrowded classrooms, lack of funding, and insufficient pay are all examples of the many issues teachers face in order to continue to fulfill their calling. World Teachers’ Day advocates for the support teachers need in order to invest in the future generation. 

Celebrating World Teachers’ Day is a great way to acknowledge and support teachers in the work they do with students every day. Here are some meaningful ways to show appreciation and support for teachers. 

How to celebrate World Teachers’ Day

World Teachers’ Day appreciation can be shown in a variety of ways. I have felt appreciated as a teacher with small actions that require no cost and little preparation! Showing your teachers you appreciate them does not require a lot of work. Oftentimes, community members, restaurants, or local businesses love to support schools and teachers. Contact local businesses in your area and ask if there is anything they are willing to donate to honor the teachers at your school. The following ideas range in price and preparation and might be suitable for different age groups of students. Choose a few ways to show love to a teacher in your life or the life of your child! 

1) Express gratitude 

Personal notes: One of the ways I have felt most appreciated is by a letter written by a student or parent. A short note of appreciation goes a long way during World Teachers’ Day. Consider writing a note of gratitude to a teacher from a previous school year. Younger students might benefit by a template or sentence starter such as, “One thing I love most about Mrs. / Mr. / Ms. ___ is…” This would be a great activity for students to complete at lunchtime or another time during the day to surprise their teacher! If you are sending an email, consider adding the administrators or principals for an extra way to support teachers! Teachers can pair with a buddy classroom to write notes to the teacher of the other room without them knowing!

Community acknowledgement: Does your community celebrate World Teachers Day? A great way to show appreciation would be to post, share, or nominate a teacher in your life to gain public acknowledgement for the work that they do. At my local bank, teachers are celebrated once a month and given a gift card. All it takes is a simple submission! Consider going to local businesses and asking for donations of products, snacks, or small gifts to appreciate teachers. A team of teachers can make this happen for their school or grade level. At my school, there is a committee in charge of developing celebrations and appreciation for our teachers!

Handmade gifts: Consider a handmade craft or gifts students can make to give to their teachers on World Teachers’ Day. A simple thumbprint craft is a meaningful way to show teachers appreciation and gratitude during this celebration. Students can add their thumbprints and names to different pictures such as this balloon bunch pictured below.

Gratitude videos: A quick and easy way to remind the teachers in your life that you and students of their past and present are grateful for them! Put together a short video of students expressing their gratitude for their teacher. There are easy apps and social media platforms that allow a quick stitching of videos. Present this video to a teacher or send an email; words make a difference! Using Flip, an easy and kid-friendly video platform, students can record messages to their teachers. This could be something facilitated by one teacher during a lunch period so students do not have to record in front of their teachers in the classroom. It could also be a link sent home with parents to complete at home! I’ve seen students share simple appreciation for their teachers via a video. The teachers are overcome with emotion hearing from their students. 

Art projects: Have students work together or as a grade-level or school to make an artistic display of appreciation for teachers. Students can create original artwork, use handprints to make a design or shape, or write words that are meaningful to their teachers using design and color. Consider displaying artwork in a communal space to encourage appreciation and celebration from families and community members as well. Could students complete these projects for their former grade level or teacher team? This way all teachers will be celebrated without having to facilitate their own celebration. Try this gorgeous butterfly craft activity for a beautiful display!

Guess the teacher announcements: Does your school do daily announcements or newscasts? Consider highlighting a teacher each day leading up to World Teachers’ Day. These can be short bursts of encouragement or gratitude, thanking a teacher for the impact they are having on their students. This could also be a time to highlight the achievements of a teacher. For example, the teacher announcement can share about where the teacher attended school, what certifications or specialties the teacher has, or some of their teaching styles or techniques that make their classrooms a great place to learn. The announcements can also share more silly and fun traits or likes and dislikes about a teacher. Classes can spend time thinking about which teacher it might be and play a school-wide guessing game to figure out the correct teacher.

2) School-wide events

Many of these activities can be facilitated by staff, parents, or teachers. Consider sharing the preparation of these activities. Either a teacher committee that rotates every year, or each team of teachers can facilitate one activity with students so that everyone is celebrated. 

School assemblies: Show teachers you appreciate them by holding a school assembly or meeting to acknowledge the work teachers do in the classroom. Consider having students, parents, administrators, or community members speak and share ways that teachers have impacted their lives. Students can perform skits, songs, or dances, to show teachers they appreciate them. Small games or giveaways can get teachers involved and having fun during World Teachers’ Day!

Community gatherings: During World Teachers’ Day, host a community gathering where past and present families and community members can share the ways that teachers have impacted their lives. This event could take place virtually to allow access to students and families that no longer live in the area but want to support and appreciate past teachers. Many students like to acknowledge or appreciate their teachers from all of their years of education. Consider how teachers from multiple grade levels or school buildings can be invited to participate in this event.

Teacher appreciation luncheon: A teacher appreciation luncheon is a popular way to honor and celebrate teachers. A themed lunch served by parents or students is a thoughtful way to give back to teachers in a school. Younger students can design placements expressing gratitude that teachers’ lunches can be served off of! Schools may also consider hosting this luncheon off campus in order to give teachers a break during their day and take their mind off of the stressors of the job.

Teacher awards ceremony: Hold an awards night to recognize teachers for their outstanding work in various categories. Principals or leadership can plan to recognize teachers for awards such as creativity, dedication, professionalism, or teaching craft. This could be held during the school day or after school during a planned event at the end of the year. An awards ceremony is a great way to show teachers they are intentionally cared for and recognized. 

Social media campaigns: Using your school’s website or social media platform, honor a teacher each day leading up to World Teachers’ Day. This post can include a little bit about the teacher, a quote or message from a staff member or student, and some photos from the teacher in action in the classroom. These posts will not only celebrate the achievements of the teacher, but will also give school community members an inside look of classrooms and successes of the school’s teachers!

3) Long-term commitments 

The following ideas continue school-wide initiatives. Consider sending home information about the following activities at the beginning of the year so that you as a teacher feel supported all year long! 

Professional development: Professional Development is a more structured way to show teachers you care. As an administrator or school leader, take a survey among staff and teachers to identify needs and interests. Allocate funds specifically for the development of teachers in their careers. Many teachers attend conferences, seminars, or virtual events using their own money. Consider giving teachers a stipend towards these events during World Teachers’ Day as well!

Teacher appreciation committees or volunteers: Are there family members or community members that are interested in supporting teachers year-round? If there is not already a group at your school, consider creating a group of family or community members that will spread out appreciation to teachers all year long. This could be the donation of snacks or drinks or even volunteers to assist with different projects or tasks teachers might need. There are so many people looking for ways to get involved in the school community that this could be the perfect opportunity! 

Ongoing classroom support: Another way to support teachers on World Teachers’ Day is providing classroom support. This can look at a variety of ways to best fit the needs of your classroom environment. Some teachers enjoy having classroom volunteers or family members of students come in to read or assist with teaching a lesson to students. Volunteers may feel comfortable leading a small group or helping out with a larger project. Other supports can be provided at home such as cutting out pieces to a new Math lesson or gathering used books to donate to a classroom library. Providing support to teachers in the classroom can start during World Teachers’ Day celebrations, but can continue throughout the school year! 

Mental well-being support: Teaching can be a demanding job and requires multiple forms of self-care. During World Teachers’ Day, consider supporting teachers’ mental wellbeing and carry that support throughout the year. This can be as simple as covering a classroom so a teacher can take a 10-15 minute break, bringing in a massage chair for some extra relaxation during lunchtime, or thoughtfully asking teachers what can be taken off their plate. When a principal gifted each of the teachers in my building a one hour free prep period, it made everyone’s day! We were allowed to redeem this ‘coupon’ at any point during the year. This is a great way to acknowledge the hard work teachers do and provide a few moments to breathe when they need it. 

Fundraising: Most teachers are just wishing for fully funded programs, classrooms, and resources for their students and their schools. During World Teachers’ Day, consider raising funds to support teacher-led projects, initiatives, or fundraisers that improve school facilities and resources.  

Healthy living:

Many teachers I know often say there is not enough time in the day to take care of themselves both mentally and physically. Consider hosting an after-school fitness class, walking club, or yoga class for teachers to participate in on World Teachers’ Day. This way, teachers do not even have to leave the building in order to get a workout in. This could be sponsored by parents or families in the community or the school. A workout class is a fun team building activity and a way to show teachers they are appreciated and cared for during a World Teachers’ Day celebration. 

4) Gifts or tokens of appreciation 

The following ideas are a great way to get families involved in World Teachers’ Day. Consider sending this list of ideas home with your students.

Gift baskets: As students learn about their teachers throughout the year, take note of the different items their teachers enjoy. Fill a basket full of small items to show gratitude and appreciation to teachers. Items can be sent in by each student in the classroom and added to a gift basket. Items could range from gift cards to a teacher’s favorite store, stationary, snacks, or books.

Personalized mementos: There are so many small personalized gifts that can be given on World Teachers’ Day that are custom to the teacher you are celebrating. A small plaque with a teacher’s name on it, a customized stamp with the subject they teach, or a pen with a teacher’s name is a thoughtful and personalized World Teachers’ Day gift.  

Books: Another great way to honor a teacher is by giving them a book. Ask teachers to select a book that they would like to read or interests them. On World Teachers’ Day, display the gifted books in the library or another central area in the school. It is a fun way to see what each individual teacher’s interests are, what they are reading, and promotes literacy for all members of the school community! 

Snacks: As always, snacks are a great way to show appreciation or love to teachers on World Teachers’ Day. A ‘snack trolley’ is a popular trend where leadership or administration cart around snacks or drinks to each classroom and serve teachers while they are teaching. Consider having healthy snacks, or surveying teachers prior to World Teachers’ Day to see what snacks and beverages they would appreciate. This can be as simple or as creative as you want! Teachers will feel loved and supported and hopefully full on their special day.

Essay contests: A great way to celebrate World Teachers’ Day with older students is to hold a school-wide essay contest where students can describe the impact teachers have had on their lives. The essays can be submitted to a voting board that selects several essays to be read aloud during assemblies or school-wide gatherings. These essays can involve prizes for both the student writer and the teacher who is being appreciated. Older students often reflect on teachers they had in their primary years as well. Consider hosting the essay contest to be inclusive of multiple schools or teachers across the students’ time in education to really show the impact that teachers have on their students. 

World Teachers’ Day is an important day to celebrate and appreciate all that teachers do for their students, classroom, and community. As a teacher, it is important to pause and reflect on the reasons you became a teacher and your individual motivation to walk into your classroom to change the hearts and minds of young people each day. You are appreciated and the work you do does not go unnoticed! 

Happy World Teachers’ Day!