The first week in May is traditionally celebrated in the United States as Teacher Appreciation Week. Today is National Teacher Day, also known as National Teacher Appreciation Day. Join millions of students and former students across the country and take this opportunity to show our teachers how important they are in our lives.

The National Education Association has many suggestions on their blog for activities and events you can participate in to show your teachers how special they have been to you.

The U.S. Department of Education has created a Thank a Teacher sign that you can download, print out, and post on social media such as Facebook and Twitter to express your appreciation of a teacher who has inspired you.

Teachers often work hard and provide invaluable services for very little pay. If you are a teacher, there are several business offering freebies and discounts today as a token of their appreciation. Here are some of the offers available: http://www.gobankingrates.com/savings-account/celebrate-teacher-appreciation-day-deals-freebies-2014/

Is there a teacher who has been especially influential in your life? Express your appreciation today!

Illustration: The Little Schoolmistress, oil painting by Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin in the Andrew W. Mellon Collection at the National Gallery of Art.

Article by Bobby Griffith.