“What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches” ~ Karl A. Menninger
5th October 2018 is World Teacher Day! It is an opportunity to celebrate all that teachers are and all that they do for children at every stage of life, all over the world. These are the men and women who work tirelessly every day to educate, inspire, encourage and enthuse our children - the next generation who will make their mark on this world.
That is why it is so important that we take this opportunity to thank them for all that they do. The secondary school science teacher who opens up a world of endless possibilities for the future doctors, forensic scientists and chemists in their class. The teaching assistant who never gives up on their toughest student because they see their potential against all odds. The teacher who takes the necessary time - and in some regions, risk - to nurture and have a profound impact on behalf of those who sponsor a hafiz or an orphan.
These are the heroes among us. But if you’re still not convinced, here are just five ways in which teachers change the world for the better.
Sharing Skills and Knowledge
Perhaps one of the most obvious duties of a teacher is to share skills and knowledge. What often happens during lessons and school years, though, is that teachers share life skills and transferable skills that are not necessarily on the curriculum - socialisation, problem-solving and much more goes on alongside the answers to the questions in the book.
Building Confidence
Part and parcel of what makes teachers so invaluable is their commitment to building better confidence in their students. While there is a degree of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ associated with learning, teachers encourage their students to review and revise, to improve and enhance their skills, but equally to follow their passions and embrace their strengths. In situations where we see a student has lost everything and their sense of self is damaged, nurturing confidence is vital.
Providing Support and Security
The routine of going to school, completing homework and following a path to a career and a brighter future is a safe and secure pattern for all children to follow. It also offers the kind of normalcy many of the children we work with
Being Role Models
Teachers wear many hats on any given day; the fountain of knowledge, the authoritarian, the friend, the helper, the advisor. One hat they wear all day long, though, is the role model. It is powerful and important for children to see an intelligent, understanding and reasonable adult who encourages others and spreads positivity. This shapes their view of what an adult ought to be, offering another good example to follow alongside - and in some tragic cases, instead of - their parents.
Encouraging Aspiration
Perhaps one of the most important things a teacher does is encourage their students’ aspirations. They enthuse their students when learning new topics, they support them with extra hours and one-to-one sessions to build skills and confidence where needed, and they push their students to not only dream big and aim higher, but to actually follow those dreams.
Why We Want to Celebrate Teachers
As well as knowing the profound impact teachers have on kids and young adults here in the UK, we are fortunate enough to see how much positivity, hope and progress the teachers we work with across the world can offer to their students and their communities.
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So, a deeply sincere thank you to you and a huge and heartfelt thank you to teachers everywhere on World Teacher Day 2018!