By the time World Teacher Day was established, the American National PTA had been celebrating a May week of gratitude for teachers for ten years. In the USSR, their own Teacher's Day had existed for almost three decades by that time.
So the school newsletter inviting parents to congratulate teachers in May might come as a surprise to parents who remember October. The school hasn’t messed up anything. Several traditions have remained in the calendars, and the international holiday is younger than the other two.
First Sunday of October and permanent date
In the USSR, Teacher's Day was established in 1965. The holiday was designated the first Sunday of October, so its date changed every year.
In Russia, this date was replaced with a permanent one in 1994. The decree of October 3 established October 5 as Teacher’s Day, and the same year the World Teacher’s Day began to be celebrated. The Russian holiday and the international date coincided, although they came about independently of each other.
This is where the difference in family memories comes from. A parent or grandmother may confidently remember the first Sunday of October, while a grandchild will find the fifth number in the calendar. Both options are true for their time.
The document is 28 years older than the holiday itself
The exact reason for October 5th is there. On that day in 1966, UNESCO and the International Labour Organization adopted the Recommendation on the Status of Teachers in Paris. The World Teachers’ Day was not celebrated on its anniversary until 1994.
The document describes the profession in its entirety, from how teachers are prepared to how much they are paid and under what conditions they work. It is separately specified how to calculate the workload. According to some schedules, it does not add up; it includes time for preparing and checking the children's notebooks, and talking with the parents about how the child is doing. The hours before class only make up part of the teacher's week.
The document also contains a provision regarding the school’s relationship with the family. It encourages teachers to cooperate with parents while at the same time protecting educators from unwarranted interference in professional matters. It is important for parents to understand how their child is taught. At the same time, the teacher must remain free to make decisions for which he or she is responsible.
Teachers play a significant role in choosing materials and methods within approved programs. Our discussion relates to this topic. academic freedom and independent thinking.
Therefore, the conversation on October 5 concerns very specific matters. Is there enough time for the teacher to prepare, can he continue teaching, and how are his professional opinions taken into account?.
Why the American tradition falls on May
The American May has a different story. The National PTA, the National Association of Parents and Teachers of the United States, has been celebrating teachers since 1984. Teacher Appreciation Week is a school community initiative that involves the families of the students as well.
There is also a separate day within this week. Since 1985, the National Education Association of the USA, NEA, has been holding it; it is called National Teacher Day and falls on Tuesday.
When World Teacher's Day was established in 1994, the May dates already existed. They were preserved. Therefore, the American calendar can include both the local May tradition and the international October 5th.
In Canada, the focus is different; the Canadian Federation of Teachers celebrates World Teachers' Day on October 5. However, it is best to check the school calendar for the date of the celebration or the activities planned at the school in question.
When to congratulate the teacher
The table can be scrolled horizontally.
| A holiday or a tradition | When it is celebrated |
|---|---|
| World Teacher's Day | October 5 |
| Teachers' Day in Russia | October 5 |
| Teacher Appreciation Week in the USA | The first full week of May |
| National Teacher Day in the USA | Tuesday the first full week of May |
The Canadian Federation of Teachers focuses on World Teachers' Day; there is no separate national date. The activities of a specific school may be held according to its own schedule.
It is more convenient to choose a date that the school is preparing for a general class greeting. You can also send a personal message on October 5th, simply explaining that today is World Teacher's Day.
For which I want to say thank you
Try asking the child: «What didn't you manage to do before, but with this teacher you managed to do it?» The answer may be quite small: finishing reading a difficult word, asking a question before the class, or understanding the assignment after the second explanation.
From such a memory, a greeting is already formed. For example, «Thank you for giving me time to finish reading even when I got stuck.» But if the child remembers something completely different, let them write about it. The adult can help with words while preserving the child’s original thought.
For an online teacher, this can be said after the lesson or by sending a message. The teacher will understand exactly which moment the child remembered.
Frequently asked questions about Teacher's Day
When is Teacher's Day celebrated?
World Teachers' Day and Teacher's Day in Russia are celebrated on October 5. Some countries have their own dates and traditions of gratitude to teachers.
Is it possible to congratulate a teacher who does not speak Russian?
Yes, the greeting can be written in English and briefly explain the reason. Just one sentence stating that October 5 is World Teacher's Day is enough; then follow the usual words of gratitude.
What should be done if the school does not celebrate any of these dates?
A personal message is appropriate even without a school event. In this case, the class's collective greeting is usually timed to coincide with the end of the school year or the last class of the quarter.
What to write if the child has been working with a teacher only recently?
Any little thing from the last lessons will do, an explanation that helped, or a task that you enjoyed will do. A short specific phrase works better than a general wish for success.
Is it appropriate to give a gift along with the greeting?
Schools in the USA and Canada often have rules regarding the cost of gifts, so it’s worth checking with the class teacher or in the school newsletter. A note from the child is always appropriate.
How to congratulate a teacher online?
Thank the child after the lesson or send a short message. The child may remember an interesting activity or explanation that helped them understand a difficult topic.
Russian language with a teacher from Palme School
At Palme School, children aged four to seventeen learn Russian online. You can learn more about the school here. two free lessons.
At the first session, the methodologist will determine the child's level of Russian and help choose a program. At the second session, the child will try to work with a teacher in a group.
