SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell extends his appreciation to the state's more than 300,000 teachers as they are honored on Wednesday, May 11 — the California Day of the Teacher.

"Through our outstanding teachers, we stand committed to giving every student every opportunity to succeed inside and outside the classroom," said O'Connell, a former teacher who returned last month to the classroom to teach a high school government class for a week in San Diego .

"Teaching is a tough profession, one that takes skill, determination, patience, and a tremendous amount of energy," he said. "We demand more of our teachers every year, and on California Day of the Teacher I ask that their worthy efforts be recognized by the students, families, and communities they serve."

The Association of Mexican American Educators, Inc. (AMAE) and the California Teachers Association (CTA) are co-sponsors of the California Day of the Teacher that originated from Senate Bill 1546 authored by former Senator Joseph Montoya (D-El Monte) more than 20 years ago. The legislation was based on the Mexican and Latin American "el Dia del Maestro" festivities that are held in honor of teachers.

The AMAE has chosen as its 2005 theme: Education, Culture, and Heritage.

The CTA 2005 theme is: California Teachers: Where Excellence Begins.