(male narrator) The first full week in May is Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring all of our teachers who have helped us learn and grow. Teaching is one of the world's most important professions. Teachers are guides who help students explore the world of ideas. The Tuesday during this week is called National Teacher Day. This holiday started when a teacher named Mattye Whyte Woodridge presented the idea in a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt. On January 14, 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt convinced Congress to declare National Teachers Day an official holiday. In 1985, the National Parent Teacher Association, or PTA, extended the celebration and created Teacher Appreciation Week. In North America during colonial times, most teachers were men. It wasn't until the 1800s that women joined the profession. At one time, as many as 60 children of all different ages learned together in a one-room country schoolhouse. Today there are teachers for art, music, physical education, and for kids with special needs. It takes enthusiasm, creativity, kindness, and skill to become a great teacher, not to mention all the hard work. Today, all learners show appreciation for teachers on this special day with a nice note or a kind thank you. Apples are always appreciated too. What makes your favorite teacher special to you?