Since 1984, the National PTA has set aside the first week of May to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Join in the festivities this May 1-7 by helping your children plan a surprise for their teacher or purchase a meaningful gift for them, or drop a line to your own favorite college professor to let them know how they have had an impact on your life. On the PTA’s website, you can find many resources to help you plan a fantastic TAW, including posters and stickers, ideas for events and activities, certificates of appreciation, and more.

National Teacher Day is part of this week-long celebration. Since it always falls on the Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation Week, this year it is May 3. The first Teacher Day was celebrated in 1953, after a nine year campaign by Arkansas teacher named Mattye Whyte Woodridge to create such an observance. However, it was not celebrated again until the National Education Association, in particular its Kansas and Indiana chapters, lobbied Congress for a national day to celebrate educators in 1980. Congress passed it, and for the next 5 years Teacher Day was celebrated on March 7, until the creation of Teacher Appreciation Week when the date of Teacher Day was changed to correspond with the week-long festivities.

People in the educational field have some of the most important but under-appreciated jobs in our country. They work long hours dealing with sometimes unruly and stubborn children, and must constantly find new and creative ways to reach out to their students. Their dedication to educating current and future generations of Americans is nothing short of heroic, and we owe them our gratitude and admiration. Furthermore, we should not forget the many supportive roles performed by administrative staff, principals, teacher’s aides, cafeteria workers, and janitors in our schools, for they too contribute to the education and betterment of our children. We should express our appreciation for these diligent people far more often than we do, so please take a moment this week to find a way to thank the teachers in your life and the lives of your children.

Now in it’s 19th year, Japan Week is a community festival celebrating the rich variety and beauty of Japanese culture. Beginning with the opening ceremonies on April 16, there are events spread out across the next nine days that explore many aspects of Japanese culture from calligraphy and painting to food, martial arts, and even the anime and cosplay that has become so popular with many American teens. For a full schedule of activities, click here.

The history of the Japanese community in Spokane goes back to the late 1800s, when many Japanese immigrated to the United States to work on the railroads and in the mines. Although many returned to their home country when they were no longer needed for these jobs, by 1910 there were 1,000 Japanese and first generation Japanese-Americans living in Spokane. Over the next 25 years the population dwindled as new laws, both state and federal, were introduced to ban Asians from owning land and immigrating to the US. Many Japanese immigrants had left their families behind, and now that their families were prohibited from joining them in the US, they returned home. By the beginning of World War II, less than 400 Japanese remained in Spokane. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Spokane saw a large influx of Japanese from Western Washington and Oregon who were fleeing government internment camps. After the war, some of them returned to their previous homes while others remained in Spokane. Since that time, the Japanese population has been integrated into Spokane’s general populace, but they continue to honor their heritage through Japan Week and other cultural events throughout the year.

Japan Week is fun for the whole family, with activities that will appeal to all ages. Take your kids to Manito Park this Sunday afternoon for the Children’s Festival, where they can make crafts, learn how to play Japanese games, and more. Or take everyone to see the kendo martials arts demonstration which is sure to thrill. Your anime-loving teen can learn how to draw manga and participate in cosplay while you and your spouse enjoy a sushi cooking class. Whatever you choose to do for Japan Week this year, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time learning about and enjoying the multifaceted aspects of Japanese culture.