Every October, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. But what exactly is this holiday, and how is it different from Teacher Appreciation Day? Learn all about this special day, and find ideas for celebrating World Teachers’ Day 2025.
When is World Teachers’ Day?
World Teachers’ Day is held each year on October 5. It commemorates the 1966 signing of the International Labour Organization (ILO)–United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. This important document set international standards for the treatment of teachers, including recruitment, training, continuing education, and labor conditions.
Note that some countries celebrate World Teachers’ Day on a different date, depending on their local school calendars and customs. For instance, India celebrates on September 5, while Australia holds it on the last Friday in October.
What is World Teachers’ Day?
First celebrated in 1994, World Teachers’ Day was created by UNESCO and Education International (EI). It’s an international holiday, one that’s meant to recognize the importance of teachers across the globe.
You might be wondering how World Teachers’ Day is different from Teacher Appreciation Day or Week. Teacher Appreciation Day/Week is a U.S. holiday, held toward the end of each school year in May. Its purpose is to give students, parents, and the community a chance to thank teachers for all their hard work throughout the year.
World Teachers’ Day has a somewhat loftier goal. While this is definitely a day to show teacher appreciation, it’s also a time to consider bigger issues related to teaching and education. Each year, UNESCO and EI partner to create a theme. They then use World Teachers’ Day as a springboard to draw community and media attention to this theme, starting conversations on topics that matter to teachers. Past themes have included Teacher Empowerment (2017), the Global Imperative To Reverse the Teacher Shortage (2023), and Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education (2024).
What’s the theme for World Teachers’ Day 2025?
The 2025 theme for World Teachers’ Day is “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.”
This year, we’re celebrating the power of connection. UNESCO is calling for systems that prioritize teacher voice, mentorship, and teamwork. Teaching shouldn’t be a solo act because it thrives on collaboration. When educators have space to share ideas, support each other, and grow together, everyone benefits.
The global celebration will take place at the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education in Ethiopia, spotlighting how collaboration can transform schools and uplift the profession.
How can we celebrate World Teachers’ Day?
Schools and communities can (and should) take several approaches to celebrating World Teachers’ Day 2025. First, spend the day appreciating teachers, publicly and privately, for their hard work. We’ve got some fun ideas to try below. (This year’s World Teachers’ Day falls on a Sunday, so you may want to hold in-person celebrations the week before.)
But even more importantly, take the opportunity to bring wider attention to major teacher issues, including the 2025 theme: Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession. If we want to show teachers we truly appreciate them, we need to support structures that help them work together—sharing expertise, mentoring one another, and building strong professional communities. Appreciation gifts and thank-you notes are lovely, but what teachers really want is time, support, and respect for the collaborative work they do every day.
Teacher Appreciation and Recognition Ideas
- Thank a teacher. Encourage students, parents, and the community to write thank-you notes to teachers in their lives. Heartfelt messages really do mean a lot, as these teachers can attest.
- Find ways to make teachers’ jobs easier for a day. Administrators and support staff might take over classrooms for an hour, giving teachers a few much-needed minutes to catch up.
- Ask local businesses to join in. Encourage them to offer teacher discounts or freebies on or around October 5, or to contribute treats or beverages for the teachers lounge.
- Fulfill their wishes. Have teachers create Amazon Wish Lists or DonorsChoose campaigns, or conduct surveys to find out what they need for their classrooms. Engage the community in helping to make these wishes a reality.
- Give them a token of appreciation. Truly thoughtful teacher gifts are always appreciated. Get lots of ideas here.
- Buy them lunch—and give them time to actually eat it. Provide a delicious meal (remember to accommodate dietary restrictions), and ensure they get the chance to enjoy it. Consider asking parents to step in and cover extra-long lunches.
See even more Teacher Appreciation ideas here.
Ways To Support Teachers on the Wider Stage
- Celebrate collaboration. This year’s theme encourages schools to foster teamwork through mentoring, co-teaching, and professional learning communities. Highlight how your school supports teacher collaboration and share success stories.
- Use social media to amplify teacher voices. Share info about World Teachers’ Day and the 2025 theme. Post follow-up articles about collaborative teaching practices, and share thought-provoking quotes from local teachers and those around the world.
- Start a letter-writing campaign to local or state government. Encourage your community to speak out regarding teacher issues. Get students and parents involved, and push for real, meaningful change—especially around policies that support collaborative planning time and professional development.
- Hold a community town hall. Invite parents and other community members to a constructive dialogue about how collaboration among educators can improve student outcomes and teacher well-being.
- Listen to teachers. School administration can use World Teachers’ Day as a chance to sincerely solicit teacher thoughts and opinions. Welcome their feedback, and look for concrete changes your school can make to support collaborative efforts.
- Participate in planned activities. Bookmark UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day page to find out what they have planned for October 5, 2025.
Articles To Read and Share on World Teachers’ Day
Use your social media account to share informational and advocacy posts about teachers, schools, and education.
World Teachers’ Day Quotes To Share
“I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.” —John Steinbeck
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” —Henry Adams
“Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.” —Unknown
We Are Teachers
“The best thing about being a teacher is that it matters. The hardest thing about being a teacher is that it matters every day.” —Todd Whitaker
“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” —Colleen Wilcox
“The duties of a teacher are neither few nor small, but they elevate the mind and give energy to the character.” —Dorothea Dix
“Teachers appreciate being appreciated, for teacher appreciation is their highest award.” —William Prince
Find more inspirational quotes about teachers and teaching here.
