This week the state will be encouraged to gather by a group of celebrities to support school and college staff on National Thank a Teacher Day. The annual campaign, led by the Teaching Awards Fund, invites children and their families to thank the school and college staff at the heart of their communities.
Dame Helen Mirren, David Walliams, Dame Joanna Lumley, Edith Bowman, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Deborah Meaden, Emilia Fox, Rudolph Walker and Rob Biddulph are just a few of the big names calling the country to meet on Thursday, May 26, and I commend every employee who makes Our schools are very special. Celebrities created their own “thank you” for their teachers as they encourage fans to support the campaign.
Celebrities will also run student competitions, where David Williams will judge his favorite short writing, while Rob Biddolph will select a winning piece of art. The campaign also organized a series of activities for students to celebrate the day, including coloring, word searches and group drawing activities.
Our schools are the beating heart of our communities, and nothing shows this more clearly than the letters of thanks that are gratefully sent and received, from the school staff who go the extra mile to provide reassurance in uncertain times to offering broader support to families in greatest need.
To add to today’s celebrations, 80 inspirational teachers, lecturers, teaching assistants and teachers from around the country will also be honored for winning the National Pearson Awards for Teaching.
After thousands of nominations from across the country, Silver Award winners will be awarded their prizes at ceremonies held at schools and colleges across the country. The winners have been shortlisted to win one of 16 coveted Gold Awards later this year, on BBC’s The One Show, in a week-long Education Celebration that sees award winners honor famous faces every night in the lead-up to the gala.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in teaching, founded in 1998 by Lord Putnam to recognize the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of celebrating our school staff across the UK.
Mrs. Helen Mirren said: “As someone who has had an extraordinary teacher, I am very pleased to support the National Thank You Campaign. My journey began with a wonderful English teacher – Mrs. Wilding. She revealed to me the power of literature and recognized my need to live in this world of imagination and poetry. She was the only one who encouraged me to be an actress. When I met her a few years ago, I thanked her and said, “I was just doing my job.”
“Ms. Wilding passed away in 2014 at the age of 102 and I will forever be grateful for her encouragement. I know many people have benefited from an inspirational teacher. Let us thank these great teachers who inspired.”
Sir Michael Morpurgo, acclaimed author and former Children’s Prize winner, and Chair of the Teaching Awards Fund said: “For many of us, it was someone at school who changed our lives, who was by our side through difficult and difficult times, who lifted us up when we were frustrated, and who helped us Finding our voice, giving us confidence when we needed it most, and setting us on the path we’ve followed ever since.
“No matter who we are, school has influenced our lives and played a major role in our childhood. School is so much more than just learning, and we see that now more than ever. Schools truly are the beating heart of our communities. Everyone who cares for our children should be celebrated in schools. Loud and clear on Teacher Thanksgiving Day 2022.”
