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Teachers' Day around the world: dates and how to say thank you

Think back to school. There is probably one teacher who changed something for you. The one who stayed after class to explain fractions again. The one who handed back your essay and said you should keep writing. Chances are you never told them.

Many countries set aside a day for exactly that. You don't need to live there to use it.

When is Teachers' Day?

World Teachers' Day is on 5 October. UNESCO has marked it since 1994. It recalls the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. For 2026 it has already passed, but gratitude doesn't expire.

Turkey celebrates on 24 November. Öğretmenler Günü falls on a Tuesday in 2026. It marks the day Atatürk accepted the title of "Başöğretmen", head teacher of the Millet Mektepleri, the nation schools. A regulation from the Ministry of National Education, published in 2019, now governs the celebrations.

Spain celebrates on 27 November. Día del Maestro is a Friday in 2026. It is not a public holiday. But education authorities, such as the one in the Canary Islands, mark it.

So if you have a Turkish or Spanish colleague, late November is a good moment to ask about their favourite teacher.

Why a thank you is worth it

Most of us never write that note. We assume the teacher won't remember us. Or that it would be awkward.

Psychologists Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley tested exactly this. Across three experiments, participants wrote a letter of gratitude to someone who had done something nice for them. First they predicted how the recipient would feel. Then the recipients were asked directly.

The findings were published in Psychological Science in 2018. Writers underestimated how surprised and positive recipients would feel. They also overestimated how awkward recipients would find it. Kumar noted that a thoughtful, sincere letter takes only a couple of minutes.

The study wasn't about teachers in particular. But it suggests our worries about saying thanks are usually bigger than they need to be.

How to say thank you

  1. Be specific. "Thanks for everything" is kind. "Thank you for letting me lead the Year 9 debate when I was terrified" is memorable.
  2. Tell them what happened next. Your teacher may have no idea where you ended up. One sentence about it can mean a lot.
  3. Keep the tone you had. If you called her Mrs Patel, start there. She can invite you to use her first name.
  4. Use your voice. Research on conversations suggests that hearing a voice builds a stronger connection than reading text. Our birthday voice message guide has tips that work for any occasion.
  5. Late is fine. Missed the day? The same rule applies as with belated birthday wishes: an honest message still lands.

Gifts: what teachers can accept

If the teacher currently teaches your child, check the rules first. In England, the Department for Education leaves it to the headteacher and governing body or local authority. They decide whether teachers may accept gifts. Not every school has to have a gifts policy. The example policies Edapt quotes set value limits and rule out cash.

Rules differ between schools, regions and countries. If you are unsure, ask the school office. A letter, a card or a message never puts anyone in a difficult spot. And a teacher you had twenty years ago is unlikely to face the question at all.

One option to finish

If you want your thanks to arrive first thing on 24 or 27 November, you can schedule an animated gift with a card on Tadawink. It arrives in the recipient's time zone. You can add a voice message or a handwritten dedication. No account is needed.

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