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October 5 is International Teachers Day, also known as World Teachers Day. When I was teaching, the day was filled with handmade cards and DIY crafts from my students. At my school, teachers would receive a special lunch with occasional perks. Today is a day reserved to intentionally celebrate teachers worldwide for the critical work (read: magic) that they do.
Furthermore, today is an ideal time to pause and reflect on the role of a teacher.
What makes a teacher?
What does it mean to be a teach?
What do teachers do really do?
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Across various countries, the teaching professional is rapidly losing prestige. Studies highlight a steep drop in teacher preparation enrollment numbers as university students are actively encouraged to pursue more lucrative career options. But, passionate teachers don’t teach solely for the income, they teach for the outcome- student achievement. Committed teachers wear many hats over the course of the day. From serving as a role model to counseling a student facing challenge, teachers go above and beyond the standard job description.
To truly understand the role of a teacher, consider this: teachers make over 1,500 decisions each and every day! Teachers must know how to differentiate instruction, address misconceptions, measure learning, manage behavior, resolve conflict, promote collaboration, ease tension, and all of that happens before lunch!
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So what, then, is the role of a teacher?
Facilitate Learning
As the definition above states, teach means to “show, point out, declare, demonstrate.” The primary role of a teacher is to facilitate the learning process. Teachers must guide students from the known to unknown. Through student inquiry, thoughtful questioning, and robust conversations, teachers help students develop their own understanding.
Get Results
While teachers make thousands of decisions a day and effortlessly juggle many roles, none of this matters if the teacher is not improving student learning outcomes. The second role of a teacher is to ensure all students learn. However, this is not limited to test results. Student learning outcomes include changes in behavior, skills, and knowledge. Teachers must demonstrate improved student learning outcomes that transcend exam scores.
Foster Creativity
Moreover, teachers must promote a love for learning and exploration in students. Today’s ever-changing economy will challenge professionals to solve problems that did not exist ten years ago. Therefore, teachers must ensure students develop the necessary 21st Century skills needed to be competitive in the future.
Harvest Potential
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that teachers around the world spend an average of 800 hours per year teaching. During this time, teachers form essential relationships with students. Teachers have a unique view of students’ strengths and personalities. When fully nurtured, teachers help students realize their passions, purpose and full potential.
So, to all the decision-making, first responding, role model teachers we celebrate you today and every day! Happy International Teachers Day!
Want to join in on the celebration? Identify several teachers in your community and find a way to celebrate them! You’d be surprised how far a simple “Thank you” can go!
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Contributor: Leah Anyanwu, Progam & Evaluation Director
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