World Teacher’s Day represents a significant effort to raise awareness, understanding and appreciation for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and learner development.
Tuesday October 5 was the international day to honour teachers since it was on that date in 1966 that a special intergovernmental meeting accepted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation on the status of teachers.
The Northsider asked a few teachers from schools within the community to reflect on World Teacher’s Day after many months of disruption which saw millions of teachers being forced to adjust.
Teachers had to swap the classroom for Zoom lessons due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the day presents the perfect opportunity to say thank you to educators for keeping learning going.
• Bradley Theunissen (Allen Glen High School)
It is definitely nice to have a day where we as teachers are appreciated and valued. Everyone has had a teacher in their past that made a difference and helped them to become the person they are today.
Hopefully on a day like today we can think of the teacher who did this for us. As teachers and colleagues I hope we all remember why we do this job and that we make a difference in the learners’ Iives without sometimes even noticing it.
Like the great late Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
• Kirsty Ledsham (Charter College International High School)
Teacher’s Day in 2021 means more than usual. We have been through so much in the education field due to this pandemic.
It feels wonderful to be remembered or even thought of during these times. We give ourselves to the children we teach every day so it’s nice to receive some recognition.
• Heather Brits (Trinityhouse Little Falls)
I really appreciate that a ‘Day’ is set aside to honour teachers.
Among adults, when discussing their careers at a braai or over coffee, there is a subtle invasion of the word ‘just’: “I’m just a teacher”.
Or, there is a kind of sweet, patronising, ‘oh that’s nice, you’re a teacher… what do u teach?” and heaven help you if you say you’re a Grade 1 teacher.
Obviously, you weren’t clever enough to teach Grade 6, or matric, and it’s such a pity, the subtle, unconscious prejudices that non-teachers have towards teachers.
But whether we are understood or not, appreciation goes a long way. I’m thrilled to be a teacher, and I work in an environment that upholds the value of the teacher – our school nurtures not only the learner, but also the teacher.
