Recognizing May as Teacher Appreciation Month, May 6 through 10 as Teacher Appreciation Week, and May 7th as Teacher Appreciation Day in the City of Philadelphia, and honoring teachers across the City for their vital work to uplift, care for and educate young people.

Recognizing May as Teacher Appreciation Month, May 6 through 10 as Teacher Appreciation Week, and May 7th as Teacher Appreciation Day in the City of Philadelphia, and honoring teachers across the City for their vital work to uplift, care for and educate young people. WHEREAS, Teaching continues to be the profession with the greatest holistic impact on young people, families, and the future of Philadelphia. Every Philadelphian has a favorite teacher who touched their life in a meaningful way, and it is the goal of City Council to ensure every young person has that privilege; and WHEREAS, May is National Teacher Appreciation Month in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, an occasion to celebrate the people who educate our community. Teachers are the foundation of society, preparing generation after generation for the modern world and constantly shifting economy; and WHEREAS, Across Philadelphia, thousands of teachers spend each day working incredibly hard to reach, teach and nurture students and minds to improve the overall state of our City and the abilities of our residents; and WHEREAS, Nearly 1 in 3 teachers across Philadelphia schools chose to leave the profession between 2021 and 2022. In an environment with substantial teacher shortages and unbalanced student-to-teacher ratios, the turnover has hit schools and teachers hard. Teachers have had to cope with unsustainable conditions for years, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the situation; and WHEREAS, Total student enrol…