The Stuff Gazette: May 2022

May 2-6, 2022 is Teacher Appreciation Week!

The Stuff Gazette appreciates how hard teachers work to make sure our children are educated! To them, we would like to say, "Thank you!"

Alexandria, VA - May 6, 2022 - (Stuff Gazette) -- During the recent challenging and unconventional school years, teachers have continued to go above and beyond to support students. To elevate, honor and thank teachers for the critical work they do—throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and all the time—National PTA will mark May 2-6 as Teacher Appreciation Week.

“It’s no secret that times have been tough, but teachers have continued to show up every day and go beyond the call of duty to support children’s learning and development and ensure they have the tools they need to reach their full potential,” said Anna King, president of National PTA. “Now more than ever, it’s critical that we support our teachers and thank them for everything they do for our nation’s youth.”

As part of the association’s efforts during Teacher Appreciation Week, National PTA will host a special Facebook live conversation Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. EDT in collaboration with the National Education Association (NEA). The event will provide a platform for educators to share the realities of teaching right now and what they really need to feel encouraged, appreciated and respected. It will also include a discussion on ways communities, parents, students and policymakers can support our nation’s educators. The event will be moderated by Lisa Ann Walter of the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary and will feature U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, National PTA President Anna King, NEA President Becky Pringle and a diverse group of educators from across the country.

National PTA is also releasing a special “teacher talk” mini-series of its Notes from the Backpack podcast in conjunction with Teacher Appreciation Week. The series features conversations with educators about what it is like being a teacher right now, what they wish families knew about their job and how families can work with teachers to improve the education system. Episodes will be released every Wednesday through mid-May and will be available to stream at PTA.org/BackpackNotes.

In addition to tuning into the Facebook live conversation and listening to the podcast episodes, National PTA encourages everyone to recognize and thank teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week by:

Sharing photos and stories of teachers on social media using #ThankATeacher

Sending heartfelt letters, cards and messages of appreciation

Creating artwork, poems and video messages

Recognizing teachers with awards and certificates

Using special social media graphics

“Recent surveys have found that teachers’ job satisfaction levels appear to have hit an all-time low and educators are planning to leave the profession in record numbers. It is especially important this year that we elevate teachers and give them the gratitude they deserve,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “We hope everyone will join us in giving our nation’s teachers the support they need during Teacher Appreciation Week and all the time.”

Teacher Appreciation Week is sponsored by Proud National PTA Sponsor Office Depot. To support teachers and school communities across the nation and show appreciation, Office Depot is offering discounts in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week as well as a Teacher Gift Guide to find personalized gifts, supplies and more.

Additional support for Teacher Appreciation Week comes from Proud National PTA Sponsor BAND, a group communication app for PTAs. In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, BAND is offering self-care packages that can be gifted to teachers in recognition of their hard work.

National PTA has designated the first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week since 1984. For more information about Teacher Appreciation Week and for digital certificates, virtual thank-you cards and other ideas and resources to celebrate and honor teachers, visit PTA.org/ThankATeacher.

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Washington, D.C. - May 6, 2022 - (The Ponder News) -- The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the premier organization representing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments, is proud to announce the theme for the observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2022: "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration". This year's theme is a continuation of the "Advancing Leaders" theme series which began in 2021. In 2022, "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration" further highlights FAPAC’s efforts in advancing leaders in the Federal and DC governments.

Collaboration involves two or more individuals, groups or organizations actively working together to accomplish a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration at its core, requires leadership. Collaboration improves team dynamics, enhances problem solving leading to increased innovation, process efficiency, improved communication, and ultimately overall success.

Collaboration across federal agencies in making decisions supporting and advancing leaders is essential to developing and retaining key talent at the leadership level. It also allows agencies to cultivate a sense of unity as they set and maintain a set of core values and goals for federal leadership staff. Embracing collaboration to advance the most promising individuals to leadership and management positions also demonstrates to all federal employees that they too should embrace collaboration within and across their subset of departments.

Organizations that are led by leaders who have been supported and advanced through collaboration foster transparency. This transparency allows for a culture of openness and trust, which further fosters diversity and inclusion, a variety of opinions and a robust discussion of ideas and approaches, which are all the foundational traits of a thriving organization that is at the forefront of leading change.

In addition to retaining the most talented leaders in the federal government and creating an environment of transparency, this type of collaboration across agencies sparks innovation in organizations due to the diversity of creative ideas and openness for dialogue and understanding.

FAPAC invites all employees of the Federal and DC governments, as well as veterans, to the 37th National Leadership Training Program (NLTP) taking place at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia from May 9-13, 2022. The FAPAC NLTP is a reputable training program for public servants that delivers high-quality workshops, networking opportunities, and practical strategies for personal and professional development as it relates to the 2022 theme. During this week-long training, FAPAC will also recognize public servants with the presentation of the Civilian Awards, Uniformed Services Awards, and a $5,000 Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Award. The NLTP will host a free career exhibition and development programs for Current Students, Recent Graduates, and Veterans interested in public service.

The FAPAC National Leadership Training Program (NLTP) aligns with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requirements as an appropriate training for the Federal workforce in accordance with 5 U.S.C. Chapter 41 and 5 CFR 410.404.

FAPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that supports the interests of AANHPI employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments. Since 1985, FAPAC has been committed to its mission of promoting equal opportunity and cultural diversity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in public service. FAPAC encourages the participation and advancement of AANHPIs in the government workforce.