How will you be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day 2008 come May? If you start to plan now, it really could be a special, unique celebration, making the climax of Teacher Appreciation Week 2008 something to remember.

Teacher Appreciation Day is an event which has the potential to unite a class – pupils working together on a special teacher appreciation project will form a team building bond and whilst learning about the teaching industry, they will achieve a new perspective on how a class is given and gain a better understanding of how to cooperate for a successful education.

There are literally thousands of ideas to help make the day memorable. The fact that teaching as an international profession provides a means to escape the day-to-day routine and explore new cultures and ways of life within foreign schools. Because a different culture will be new to everybody, this common learning ground again, like the team building Teacher Appreciation Day activities, will help unite a class. Furthermore, because the teacher is not teaching but learning with his/her class, there will be a significant emphasis on group spirit. An already formulated suggestion for entertaining an international theme in class would be to conduct a day’s lessons in the style of a particular country (perhaps if the teacher has an interest in a particular culture, the class could research it to make the day extra-special).

The day is backed by the National Education Association (NEA) which is the largest professional employee organisation – a fact which means it really does have the potential to be grand and remembered for many years to come. We suggest teaming up with other schools; in the spirit of “the more, the merrier”, the greater the resource pool for ideas and participation, the better.

Either way, the essential root of the day is that it is about teachers – perhaps you are not in a class but have a special tutor (music, sports, language…) – this is the day when you can let them know how highly you think of them and how they have helped your personal growth. The key to enjoying the day and making it a success is to make sure it is enjoyable for everybody involved and ensure communication is at its optimum – whether it co-ordinating group tasks or conveying the gratitude you have for your teacher.

- John Miller