You motivate. You inspire. You encourage. You teach valuable, lifelong lessons.

Teachers do so much more than sing the ABC’s and “Clean Up, Everybody Clean Up.”

In many ways, Teachers are a part of a child’s family, since they offer additional support in the classroom that parents also provide (or sadly, don’t) at home. You prepare them for the year, the next grade, and in many ways, for the rest of their lives.

How do you do it?

We may not know the magic behind all that motivates you to do what you do each day for your students, but we sure do like the idea of appreciating you, even beyond this fun week.

So, how did the brilliant idea of finally appreciating educators come about?

Let’s dig in to some fun Teacher Appreciation info:

  • Teacher Appreciation Week didn’t originally start out as a week-long celebration of educators, according to Romper. In fact, it was only honored for one day. (ONE DAY? That’s NOT ENOUGH!). In 1953, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt asked Congress to select a day that would honor educators(per the National Education Association). National Teacher Day, originally celebrated only on the Tuesday during the first full week in May, eventually evolved to incorporate all the other days of the workweek, too.
  • After a stress-filled, uncertain two years, more than ever Teachers like you feel overwhelmed but also proud at the way they’ve come through such a tumultuous time. The National Education Association(NEA) conducted a wonderful interview with educators across the country to talk about what they really want during this year’s Appreciation Week. Do you feel the same? Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/vn4uBETlHZg

  • You have a Major Impact. Did you know that the average Teacher affects over 3,000 students during their career? According to a recent study conducted by We Are Teachers, 88% of people say a Teacher had a significant, positive impact on their life. To your young students, you’re basically their super hero, favorite character or sports idol all in one.
  • While Parents are really supposed to show their gratitude all week (sending you Starbucks Gift Cards, thoughtful letters and gifts, etc.) the NEA and all of us at Miniland have also found a way for you to receive positive encouragement this week:

The NEA will be gathering messages from across the country and sending them straight to your phone. Just text CELEBRATE to 48744 and you will get periodic texts throughout the week that remind you how special both you and your profession are. You can find out more info here: https://www.nea.org/TAW.

To continue to support you as the invaluable educator you are, and to show our appreciation for the lengths you go to every single day to make each child feel accepted and seen, Miniland is sharing important information (and giveaways!) with you throughout the month to celebrate our 2022 You Belong initiative.

Also, don’t forget to enter our giant $1,000 Instagram Giveaway and Facebook Giveaways where you could win Shopping Sprees to a favorite educational Miniland retailer and outfit your classroom with all the necessities you need to encourage acceptance and representation come Back to School time.


To continue to support you as the invaluable educator you are, and to show our appreciation for the lengths you go to every single day to make each child feel accepted and seen, Miniland is sharing important information (and giveaways!) with you throughout the month to celebrate our 2022 You Belong initiative.

Also, don’t forget to enter our giant $1,000 Instagram Giveaway and Facebook Giveaways where you could win Shopping Sprees to a favorite educational Miniland retailer and outfit your classroom with all the necessities you need to encourage acceptance and representation come Back to School time.

Teaching makes such a difference, with visible results. We thank you for encouraging your students to learn through play, kindness, acceptance and inclusion every day. We thank you for working long hours and going above and beyond for future generations. We appreciate you, not just this week, but every week, all year round.

Thank you.

For more information on Miniland’s commitment to supporting educators, visit You Belong.