The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites you to celebrate American Education Week (AEW) with us Nov. 13-19. 

This weeklong event honors the team of people who work in our nation’s public schools – everyone from the bus driver and classroom teacher to the cafeteria worker and administrative staff members, plus countless others. 

The National Education Association (NEA) was one of the creators and original sponsors of AEW. 

While the week begins Sunday, Nov. 13, the celebration begins Monday, Nov. 14, with Kickoff Day. Ideas for celebrating Kickoff Day from the NEA include: 

• Have students write an essay, “What I would Do if I Were the School Principal,” and share the best ones. 

• Hold a poetry reading on the topic, “What I Like Best About My School.” 

• Have students make cards showing support for their educators. 

Tuesday, Nov. 15, is Family Day. Parental involvement is an important aspect of education. Ideas for celebrating this day include: 

• Invite parents into the classroom. If it isn’t possible to have parents physically come into the classroom, invite them virtually into the classroom via video conference to read to students, talk about their careers or share other educational information. 

• Send or email reprinted “apple” papers with places for students to fill in their favorite subject, best time of day or what they liked about the classroom teacher and a section for parents to write their school memories. Share in class or online. 

Wednesday, Nov. 16, is Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day. Here are a few ways to celebrate: 

• Host an appreciation event for ESPs in your school or district. Share photos (or screenshots) of the event on social media.  

• Arrange a safe food or gift delivery for ESPs in your school or district.  

• Encourage teachers, students and parents to mail or email a thank you letter to ESPs in their schools.  

• Give a social media shout out to ESPs who have been going above and beyond to help school communities during this pandemic. You can get creative through photos, videos and more! Use #WeLoveOurESPs in your posts. 

Thursday, Nov. 17, is Educator for a Day. Here are some ways your district can celebrate: 

• Ask students to dress as if they were in their future career and talk about that profession’s role in the community. 

• Invite members of the community into your classroom (in person or virtually) to read to students, talk about their career or share other educational information. 

• Invite community leaders into the classroom to perform duties of a regular school employee – teaching class, performing lunch or hall monitor duty, recess supervision and other responsibilities. 

The last day of celebrating, Friday, Nov. 18, is dedicated to Substitute Teachers. Schools and/or districts can arrange a recognition of substitute educators in a read-aloud school bulletin, on intercom announcements or even in person. 

History of AEW: Distressed that 25% of the country’s World War I draftees were illiterate and 9% were physically unfit, representatives of the NEA and the American Legion met in 1919 to seek ways to generate public support for education. 

The conventions of both organizations subsequently adopted resolutions of support for a national effort to raise public awareness of the importance of education.  

The first observance of AEW occurred Dec. 4-10, 1921, with the NEA and American Legion as cosponsors. A year later, the U.S. Office of Education joined the effort as a cosponsor, and the PTA followed in 1938. 

Now, AEW is always celebrated the week prior to Thanksgiving.