The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is promoting World Teachers’ Day on Friday 28 October 2022, with the motto “Hats off to Teachers”.
World Teachers’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This Recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
UNESCO also go on to state:
“It is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally”.
The significance of this event has not been lost on the education community with a number of bodies promoting the day and the celebration of our teachers to all of their school communities.
Over the years, to acknowledge the significance of World Teachers’ Day, School Governance has written several articles promoting teacher value and importance in our society. These articles have included:
AITSL, on its website, is promoting the use of its Photobooth, a Celebration Kit and their Media Wall, to recognise and celebrate teachers. Please click on the links below to engage with these resources.
In addition to the suggestions from AITSL, schools may also wish to conduct a special assembly or maybe a morning tea for their staff – to say “thank you” for a job well done. At this assembly, maybe you could ask members of your school community to tell their stories of great teachers. You could also share the stories in your school newsletter and on your social media channels.
Schools may also like to encourage their teachers to open their classrooms on the day to parents, carers and the wider school community so that they can see what teachers do to educate and care for their students. Having your current families and prospective families and students see your school in action, and having current happy parents speak positively about your school to other families, is marketing that is worth its weight in gold!
According to the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT):
"Teachers are first and foremost educators. They are responsible for equipping students with the knowledge, skills and ways of thinking and working needed for their future lives so they can go on to be leaders, run their own businesses, care for others or make important discoveries. Teachers create global citizens. They inspire students to achieve great things."
The University of the People (UOP) blog notes:
“Teachers are arguably the most important members of our society. They give children purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and teachers are that critical point that makes a child ready for their future.”
Across the globe in the Hindustan Times, they have written:
“Teachers do more than only impart knowledge; they also help us develop vital virtues that help us become better people. We learned the most significant lessons from their teachings.”
Basically, there is worldwide support and understanding that teachers are vitally important not only for imparting knowledge, but also for giving students purpose, passing on virtues and positive culture, inspiring students to learn and lead and preparing them for an uncertain future. Teachers are responsible for today and tomorrow’s generations!
"Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the critical role of teachers in transforming learners’ potential by ensuring they have the tools they need to take responsibility for themselves, for others and for the planet. We call on countries to ensure that teachers are trusted and recognized as knowledge producers, reflective practitioners, and policy partners."
Joint Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General, International Labour Organization, Ms Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF, Mr David Edwards, General Secretary, Education International for World Teachers’ Day, 5 October 2022
In 2019, I wrote in School Governance:
“Let’s remember the teachers who were instrumental in assisting us to be where we are now. Let’s also encourage good quality students who are passionate about helping others to train to become the next generation of teachers. And, above all, let’s encourage the students in our schools to take just a brief moment to say “thank you” to the people who often spend more waking hours with them than even their parents to help them to achieve their dreams and ambitions for life.”
To be honest, nothing has changed!