The impact of the teaching profession

TeachersCan Initiative Spotlights Importance and Impact of the Teaching Profession

Texans Called to Thank A Teacher, Nominate Educators for Prizes

AUSTIN – As teachers across the state continue adapting their teaching methods to support all students in a remote learning environment, a new initiative is providing Texans the opportunity to show their appreciation for these dedicated educators. The #TeachersCan initiative encourages Texans to thank both current teachers as well as those who had a profound impact on their lives by entering their favorite educators into a drawing. Nominated teachers and educators will be automatically entered into a drawing for a host of exclusive prizes, with winners announced daily during a special week-long virtual National Teacher Appreciation Week celebration May 4-8.

The open-source #TeachersCan initiative exists to elevate the status of teachers and the teaching profession across Texas. More than 100 Texas companies — including H-E-B, Whataburger, Kendra Scott, Valero, the San Antonio Spurs, and Dell Technologies — statewide associations, community groups and chambers of commerce, and universities have all signed on as supporting partners, with more joining every day.

“The COVID-19 crisis has further demonstrated just how important teachers are to our students, our communities, and our state,” said coalition member and Texas Association of School Administrators Executive Director Kevin Brown. “Yet, despite the widespread affinity for teachers, teacher morale is on the decline, fewer of our best and brightest are not considering teaching as a profession, and less than a majority of parents would encourage their children to become teachers. Teachers are too important to our future — those trends need to change.”

The #TeachersCan initiative officially debuted on April 13 with the premiere of a 30-second video celebrating the resilience, creativity, and adaptability of Texas teachers, the launch of the TeachersCan.org website, and @TXTeachersCan Facebook and Instagram presences. Through this initiative, teachers and the public are encouraged to show their appreciation by participating in a variety of ways, including:

• Visit TeachersCan.org to nominate a teacher for exclusive prizes ranging from gift cards from H-E-B, Valero, Whataburger and others as well as the chance to win free groceries for a year, home office and fitness equipment as well as a “back to school” bash when campuses are permitted to reopen.
• Share the #TeachersCan video, available through the website, and tag the teachers in your life
• Use the prompts available at TeachersCan.org to express gratitude for a current teacher in your life or one who had a significant impact on you personally by posting a video on social media using the hashtags #TeachersCan and #ThankATeacher
• Teachers can use the prompts available at TeachersCan.org to share stories on social media of why they teach, individual stories of creativity, courage and resilience, and what they wish others knew about teaching profession using the hashtag #TeachersCan

The 30-second video/TV spot and related audio streaming ad were produced by The Richards Group – the nation’s largest independent advertising agency – reframing the outdated “those who can’t do, teach” phrase into an empowering “those who can, teach” message honoring the efforts teachers are making to connect with and engage students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video is being promoted across broadcast television, streaming services as well as digital display and social media ads in markets across Texas from mid-April through mid-May.

National Teachers Appreciation Week – May 4 – 8

The #TeachersCan initiative will honor teachers for their hard work and dedication with a variety of activities during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Beginning April 20, Texans can nominate their favorite teachers for prize giveaways, with winners announced daily from May 4 to 8. #TeachersCan partner organizations including the Texas Cultural Trust, Whitewater Amphitheater, the Texas Association of School Administrators and The Union Fitness and Yoga will also be helping to create a variety of exclusive content specifically for educators throughout the week, including daily virtual events.

For more information on partners, events planned for National Teachers Appreciations week, and general information about the #TeachersCan initiative, visit TeachersCan.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 

Anamaria Suescun-Fast, The DeBerry Group, 210-363-2673

Lindsey Campbell, The DeBerry Group, 210-998-9000