UNION — Starting Friday, May 1, Defense of Democracy, a non-profit dedicated to protecting public education and the right to read, has announced the launch of its annual Teacher Thank-A-Thon. This month-long national campaign encourages community members to attend local school board meetings for one simple purpose: to publicly thank educators for their dedication to students and their commitment to inclusive education.
This year’s event is hosted in partnership with prominent education advocate and social media influencer Reads with Rachel, whose platform reaches hundreds of thousands of viewers across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
“Our educators are on the front lines every day, defending our children’s right to read and ensuring that every student – regardless of their background – feels seen and valued,” said Karen Svoboda, executive director of Defense of Democracy. “The Thank-A-Thon is about changing the temperature in the room. We are replacing conflict with radical gratitude and showing our teachers that the ‘silent majority’ truly has their backs.”
“We are spending the month of May honoring the educators who go above and beyond to make every student feel seen and safe and heard and included. Help us show our teachers the appreciation that they deserve,” said Thank-A-Thon spokesperson Reads with Rachel.
Now in its second year, the Teacher Thank-A-Thon has grown into a powerful national movement. In 2025, the event saw participation in more than 20 states, resulting in hundreds of messages of support.
Participation is free and designed to be accessible even for those who have never attended a school board meeting:
- Registration: Volunteers can sign up at https://givebutter.com/teacher-thank-a-thon-copy-fmg5jm;
- Support and guidance: Defense of Democracy provides participants with customizable scripts and templates; and
- Logistical assistance: The organization assists volunteers in locating their local board meeting dates, times and specific public comment rules.
For more information on the Teacher Thank-A-Thon or to register for the event, visit www.DefenseofDemocracy.org.
