May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Date Posted: 5/19/2023
The month of May is coming to an end, but there is still a chance to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country, including the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander educators in Texas public schools.
The idea of having a celebration for Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage began in the 1970s, according to History.com. It originated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in 1979. It was not until 1992—when Congress expanded the observance to the entire month of May—that it was named Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In 2009, it was renamed to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The month of May was selected because of the arrival of Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Chinese immigrants played a pivotal role in the building of the railroad.
The United States Census Bureau estimates there are 24 million Asian Americans and 1.7 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. An estimated 24.6% of Asian Americans work in educational services (22.4% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders). In the education sector, 2.1% of public school teachers are Asian, and 0.9% of public school principals are Asian, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The public school percentage for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is 0.2% of public school teachers and 0.2% of public school principals.
AAPI Data shows that most of the AAPI population stated that education was either an extremely important or especially important issue in an Asian American Voter Survey in 2022.
Nearly 7% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are military veterans, while 2.4% of Asian Americans are military veterans. A Pew Research Center report also projects the Asian American population will increase to over 35 million by 2060.
To all Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander educators out there, thank you from ATPE for all that you do! Check out this teaching guide from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help teach your students about the importance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The idea of having a celebration for Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage began in the 1970s, according to History.com. It originated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in 1979. It was not until 1992—when Congress expanded the observance to the entire month of May—that it was named Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In 2009, it was renamed to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The month of May was selected because of the arrival of Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Chinese immigrants played a pivotal role in the building of the railroad.
The United States Census Bureau estimates there are 24 million Asian Americans and 1.7 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. An estimated 24.6% of Asian Americans work in educational services (22.4% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders). In the education sector, 2.1% of public school teachers are Asian, and 0.9% of public school principals are Asian, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The public school percentage for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is 0.2% of public school teachers and 0.2% of public school principals.
AAPI Data shows that most of the AAPI population stated that education was either an extremely important or especially important issue in an Asian American Voter Survey in 2022.
Nearly 7% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are military veterans, while 2.4% of Asian Americans are military veterans. A Pew Research Center report also projects the Asian American population will increase to over 35 million by 2060.
To all Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander educators out there, thank you from ATPE for all that you do! Check out this teaching guide from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help teach your students about the importance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.