World Teachers’ Day on October 5th honors teachers and teacher organizations making vital contributions to the education and development of our future leaders.
#WorldTeacherDay
If you think back to your school years, you are bound to think of at least one teacher who made a difference in your life. Maybe they helped set you on the right career path. One may have encouraged you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Or maybe they helped you when you felt unaccepted by your peers. Even though a teacher’s job is to teach, they wear many hats. They are also counselors and friends. To some students, they may even be guardian angels.
While teaching is indeed a noble career, it is a challenging one, as well. It seems that more than ever, teachers are having a difficult time. Some of the things they contend within the classroom each day are disruptive environments, lack of resources, and limited time. For teachers who have many students, it can be difficult to provide individualized attention.
As teachers prepare students for the future, it’s more important than ever to recognize the difficult job they do.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD TEACHER’S DAY
On World Teacher’s Day, UNESCO and Education International (EI) campaigns give the world a better understanding of teachers. They stress the important role that teachers play in developing societies. Events in more than 100 countries are held to celebrate teachers. Many schools host celebratory breakfasts or special assemblies to show appreciation for teachers.
To observe World Teacher’s Day, the best thing you can do is thank a teacher who made a positive impact on your life. Praise your children’s teachers, as well. If you know a teacher, give them a gift card or take them out for lunch.
If you’re a student, be sure to thank your teachers for all they do to help you get a good education. Students probably don’t bring their teachers apples anymore, but they probably would accept coffee or chocolate! Use #WorldTeachersDay and post photos of your favorite teacher on social media.
WORLD TEACHER’S DAY HISTORY
UNESCO proclaimed October 5 to be World Teachers’ Day in 1994. They chose October 5th because it was on this date in 1966 when a significant step was made for teachers in 1966. A special intergovernmental conference in Paris adopted the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The Recommendation sets benchmarks regarding teachers’ rights. It also sets standards for teacher training, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
Each year there is a different theme for World Teachers Day. Some of the most recent ones have included:
2019: Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession
2018: The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher
2017: Empowering Teachers
2016: Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status
