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Nation's Largest Teacher Thank You Card Kicks Off Today
        New Poll Finds Teachers Most Appreciate a Simple "Thank You"

    WASHINGTON, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When asked what gift they
would most like to receive from their students, nearly half of all teachers
say a simple "thank you" will suffice, according to a recent National
Education Association online poll. In keeping with the wishes of the
nation's educators, NEA and the National Parent Teacher Association are
joining forces to build the "Nation's Largest Teacher Thank You Card."
    The effort -- part of NEA's National Teacher Day celebration (May 8)
and PTA's Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-12) -- kicks off today and will
culminate in spring 2008 with the card's unveiling. Thousands of individual
thank you cards from people across the nation, including famous actors,
athletes, musicians, television personalities, politicians and notable
public figures, will be compiled and fused into one gigantic card. The
"Nation's Largest Teacher Thank You Card" will serve as a public tribute to
teachers and a reminder of the hard work and dedication that goes into
teaching.
    "Together with the PTA, we're saying thanks to the nation's 3 million
public school teachers in a big way," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "We're
encouraging everyone nationwide to get involved in this innovative project
and take a minute of their day to say 'thanks' to teachers. Our goal is to
create a tapestry of thank-you's dedicated to teachers and the important
role they play in our society."
    NEA and the PTA are offering two easy ways for people across the
country to take part in creating the largest teacher thank you card. From
May 7, 2007, through December 28, 2007, individuals can send a thank you
e-card by logging on to http://www.teacherthankyoucard.org or mail a thank
you card to: The Nation's Largest Teacher Thank You Card, c/o NEA/PTA, P.O.
Box 66458, Washington, D.C. 20035. The cards collected will be merged into
a single oversized card that will travel to major cities and events in
2008.

    "Teachers, in partnership with parents and families, truly make a
positive impact on student success," said PTA National President Anna
Weselak. "PTA and its 6 million members will be getting school communities
nationwide excited about this huge project to show teachers the
appreciation they so richly deserve."
    More than 2,500 teachers participated in NEA's Teacher Gift online
poll, which was conducted in March and April 2007. The poll asked teachers
what gift they would most like to receive from their students/classrooms.
Respondents overwhelmingly chose "hearing the words thank you/receiving a
thank you card" (48 percent). Receiving a spa or other gift certificate
came in second (30 percent), followed by an appreciation breakfast or lunch
(15 percent), flowers or a plant (6 percent), and an apple (1 percent).
    About National Teacher Day/Teacher Appreciation Week
    NEA celebrates National Teacher Day each year on Tuesday of the first
full week of May. The day celebrates the outstanding work and lifelong
dedication of teachers nationwide. National Teacher Day came into being
through the leadership and persistence of Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1953, she
persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim May 7 that year as National Teacher
Day. PTA took Roosevelt's idea and dedicated a whole week to celebrate the
accomplishments of educators. PTA's annual Teacher Appreciation Week honors
the dedicated men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating
children. For more information visit http://www.nea.org/teacherday and
http://www.pta.org.
    About PTA
    PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults
devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent
involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a
relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education.
Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education,
health, and welfare of children and youth.
    The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional
employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary
teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school
administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become
teachers.
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