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American Education Week
Matt Lepay, radio announcer for Wisconsin Badger football and basketball, is featured in WEAC's newest radio public service announcement celebrating American Education Week If you are a WEAC member interested in customizing this public service announcement for your community, visit Members Only and click on "Tools for Local Programs" on the right side of the page. |
American Education Week is celebrated in schools throughout Wisconsin and the country November 11-17.
This unique education event presents educators and communities with an opportunity to celebrate public education and the caring and dedicated teachers and education support professionals who ensure every child receives a quality education.
Celebrated nationally since 1921, American Education Week has roots in World War I. 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. In 1921, the NEA Representative Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa, called for designation of one week each year to spotlight education. In its resolution, the NEA called for, "An educational week ... observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs.”
Celebrations throughout the week of November 11-17 include:
Many WEAC locals are planning celebrations in their communities. The Beaver Dam Education Association’s "Let's Celebrate American Education Week" ad was the third in a series of half-page ads the BDEA published in the Daily Citizen.
“As teachers we ought to take advantage of every opportunity we have to be visible in the community and to convey a positive image of teachers and education throughout the year… American Education Week is a great opportunity for a local campaign to show that Great Schools benefit everyone,” says Beaver Dam Local President Janet Shumaker.
Lynn Jones, a para-educator for the Menomonie School District, agrees that American Education Week provides opportunity for educators to celebrate. “ I feel that it is important to always bring positive awareness to the public about the people who make public education run smoothly. Most of the school employees do it for the love of teaching and love of working with the students. It is important to us to have a positive role in the academic lives of the students. It is a wonderful feeling that you really do make a difference!”
Other local associations will celebrate using customized public service announcements, newspaper ads, school celebrations, and community events. To share stories and photos of what your local is doing to celebrate American Education Week, email PR@weac.org.
NEA's American Education Week Web page
The changing face of public education
Posted November 8, 2007
