[National Teacher Day] Let's Celebrate!

“Every day, the teachers behind me, they give their students their all—their knowledge, their creativity, their focused attention, their love. They empty the tanks for their kids. Then they get up the next morning and they do it all over again. . . . America is hungry for teachers like these, which is why we’ve got to acknowledge them, because every school has teachers like these and we don’t give them enough credit.”

                —President Obama, National Teacher of the Year White House Award Ceremony, April 29, 2015

Today is a day that we love here at Edmentum—it’s National Teacher Day! We see firsthand the hard work and dedication that educators across the country put in day after day. Taking time out to celebrate that hard work is important (and not to mention fun!).

Last week, President Obama did just that in a White House ceremony honoring this year’s Teacher of the Year national- and state-award recipients. The National Teacher of the Year Program has been in place for over 60 years and is not only a prestigious honor for the dedicated, innovative teachers it recognizes, but it also gives teachers the opportunity to collaborate with policymakers and advocate for the needs of students and educators across the country.

This year’s National Teacher of the Year award winner, Shanna Peeples of Amarillo, Texas, is representative of the many thousands of teachers across the country who go above and beyond for their students on a daily basis. Peeples is the English department chair at Palo Duro High School, where 85 percent of the student population qualifies as low income and many students are refugees from war-torn countries like Iraq and Somalia. She encourages these students to find, own, and use their voices, and she regularly stays after school to attend students’ games or concerts or simply listen to students. She is dedicated to finding and promoting effective ways of working with students facing poverty and trauma and helping them achieve their full potential. You can learn more about Shanna Peeples and her inspiring work here.

We may not be able to throw an awards ceremony for all of you other outstanding educators out there, but we certainly think that you deserve to be recognized as well. That’s why Edmentum is holding a Teacher Appreciation Giveaway where you can register to win an iPad® for your classroom! And, for all of you non-educators out there, be sure to #ThankATeacher today—you could even win a $100 Visa gift card from the NEA for your favorite educator!