Most people can remember a time in their life when a teacher made a significant impact. Perhaps they recognised a talent, encouraged us to try something new that we loved, or just gave us space to breathe when something was happening that we did not understand. There is no doubt that teachers have the ability to have an impact.
For many people, those moments stay with them long after they leave the classroom.
With World Teachers’ Day approaching on 5 October, we have the opportunity to consider the value of the expertise that teachers bring, as well as their compassion and genuine care. UNESCO describes the day as a chance to reflect on the support teachers need to fulfil their roles and continue to shape the future of the profession. In regard to that, we must ask: how do we make sure teachers continue to be trusted to influence the education they deliver?
We ask teachers to help young people become independent thinkers. Quite the task. We want students to question information, explore unfamiliar ideas and develop confidence to not just question but make judgements of their own. Being able to create these conditions requires teachers to have these abilities themselves, draw on their knowledge and expand it in a way that different minds can understand.
A lesson might need to slow down or change because students are not understanding an explanation. A teacher might put the book aside and invite students to act out a scene, helping them understand a character’s choices through the experience of making those choices themselves. A quiet student may need more time and patience to contribute, while others may need to be taught how to listen better. Knowing when to offer reassurance and when to encourage another attempt is a skill that develops through paying close attention.
These decisions about teaching methods, subject knowledge and truly understanding the students that are being taught take time, dedication and trust. The student who finally volunteers an answer may have taken a significant step, even before that confidence begins to show in their written work. They are an integral part of the intellectual work of teaching, though often difficult to justify on a spreadsheet.
Accountability matters; families expect, and as they should, high standards and schools need evidence that students are truly learning. Professional trust tends to sit alongside expectations and willingness to evolve and improve. Teachers balance these responsibilities every day: working towards academic goals while recognising that students may need different kinds of support to reach them.
That kind of balance deserves recognition and support. World Teachers’ Day gives us an opportunity to really appreciate the care, detail and skill involved in holding this all together. It is often important to recognise the thoughtful, demanding and deeply human work they do.
