Every year since 1984, the National Parent-Teacher Association has designated the first week of May as National Teacher Appreciation Week. During this week, the National PTA encourages parents and other members of the community to pause and consider the positive influence teachers have had in their lives and the lives of their children.
Locally, many parent groups participated in creative activities to show their appreciation during the week, in some cases treating teachers to catered lunches and desserts, decorating their classrooms with flowers and balloons, and leaving posters and cards with messages of thanks.
This photo was taken from the roof of St. Joseph School in St. Johns, showing chalk art that parents created all around the school building. The messages included some thanking the entire staff and some recognizing the contributions of individual teachers.