Communities across the nation will join the National Education Association this week to celebrate American Education Week , which is in its 95th year. The annual observance honors students, educators and parents — and rededicates the community at large to quality public education for every student.

“American Education Week serves as a tribute to the team of people who work with our students, everyone from the classroom teacher and the bus driver to the cafeteria worker and the administration staff — plus countless others,” said National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García. “This week is a great time to say thank you to school employees who work in and out of the classroom.”

There were several events planned throughout the nation to celebrate the week, including a kickoff, a day for parents to come into the schools, a day to support education professionals, a day to recognize subsitute educators and a day for the nation’s leaders to get a glimpse at a day in the life of a school employee.

“As we take the time this week to recognize the important role that public education plays in the future of our students,” García said. “we also want to take a moment to uplift and champion the outstanding work and contributions of teachers, bus drivers, paraeducators, school nurses, and custodians — all who work so hard on behalf of our students.”

American Education Week takes place the week prior to Thanksgiving. It was first celebrated in 1921, with National Education Association and the American Legion as co-sponsors, and grew out of national concern over illiteracy. After 95 years, the original goal of American Education Week — to generate public awareness and support for education — continues today.

This year’s American Education Week tagline, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, is a reminder that all Americans must do their part to help create great public schools for every student.

To find out more about the week-long celebration, visit www.nea.org/aew or contact your local public school.

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.