Honoring Veterans in the Classroom

The annual observance of Veterans Day each November offers a meaningful opportunity for educators to help students explore character traits such as honor, courage, and service, while learning about the sacrifices of those who have served our country. November is also National Veterans and Military Families Month, making this a perfect time to bring these conversations into the classroom.

A Brief History

Veterans Day, observed annually on Nov. 11, began as Armistice Day in 1919 to honor the end of World War I. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day to recognize all U.S. military veterans. For students, learning about Veterans Day provides a real-world connection to history, citizenship, and character development.

Classroom Ideas

The Honor Their Courage program is a free PK-12 resource designed for schools. It blends lessons about veterans with an optional student-led service project supporting injured service members through Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The program includes teacher guides, student activities, reading lists, discussion questions, and short videos—even for younger learners through GoNoodle.

You can also celebrate Veterans Day by inviting local veterans to speak, creating thank-you cards, or engaging students in service projects that connect classroom learning to community involvement.

Supporting Military Families in Schools

Educators can also recognize the broader military community through initiatives such as the Purple Star campus designation, which honors schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected families. For veterans interested in education careers, programs and pathways exist to help them transition into teaching, coaching, and other school-based roles, allowing them to continue serving in a new capacity.

Information and Resources

• Honor Their Courage Program – Free PK-12 lessons, videos, and optional service projects with WWP
• Purple Star Campus Designation – Recognizes schools supporting military-connected families
• Veterans in Education Careers – Explore pathways for veterans to continue serving through teaching and school roles