“What really makes a teacher is love … for it is love that transforms the social duty of the educator into the higher consciousness of a mission.”

Almost everyone has a story about a teacher who inspired them—the one who made learning fun, ignited a passion for a specific topic, or even pushed students hard to soar beyond expectations.

• There are more than 3 million teachers in the U.S. Public schools have a total of about 3.2 million full-time equivalent teachers.
• The vast majority of teachers are women. It’s nearly 77%. And more than 54% of principals are women, too.
• They probably work more than you realize. Teachers work an average of 50 hours a week, and about 30% hold second jobs.
• Many teachers are taking classes of their own. Nearly 60% of teachers have a postgraduate degree, earned on their own time and dime.
• They spend their own money in the classroom. 94% of teachers dig into their own pockets, spending about $500 annually.
• Support goes way beyond supplies. More than 65% of teachers pay for student meals or field trips, and 33% purchase winter clothing for students.
• The best gift isn’t a red apple. Teachers prefer gift cards for supplies or simply a heartfelt note of appreciation.