Honoring Teachers on World Teachers' Day in 2021

Since March of 2020, it’s safe to say that teachers have gone above and beyond to create and innovate in order to engage students through remote, hybrid and in-school transitions over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why, this year, it’s more important than ever to reflect on the amazing education professionals we have here in Waukee and throughout Greater Des Moines (DSM) on World Teachers’ Day.

About World Teachers' Day

World Teachers’ Day is Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. The annual celebration takes place in countries across the world, honoring the anniversary of the passing of the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The recommendation outlines the rights and responsibilities of teachers, conditions for effective teaching and learning, guidelines for entry, advancement and promotion into the profession, addressing teacher shortages and more. In 2021, the World Teachers’ Day theme — Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery — will focus on supporting teachers in the COVID-19 recovery process. You can download a 2021 World Teachers’ Day poster here. UNESCO outlines why this year’s theme is important, including:

• The crucial role teachers play in maintaining learning continuity during the crisis
• The challenges teachers face in the profession from online teaching professional development to increased workloads
• The ongoing shortage of teachers
• The constrain on teacher agency, autonomy and decision-making power 

The organization also offers ways in which these current issues can be combatted in the future, citing supportive professional development, participation of teachers in decision-making, creating safe and healthy working conditions and aiming to support all teachers, from beginning to experienced, in the classroom through online training and mentoring. Learn more here.

Ways to Thank a Teacher

If you’re looking for ways to celebrate next week, here are a few of the ways you can show local educators that their meaningful work is appreciated:

1. Give a positive shoutout to them on social media.
2. Put up a yard sign to show support for educators.
3. Donate books to a teacher’s classroom library.
4. Have your student draw a picture or write a thank-you note to their teacher.
5. Make a donation of school supplies to your neighborhood school. Many teachers have wish lists of items that run out throughout the school year.

   

I hope you’ll join me is celebrating World Teachers’ Day this year by reflecting on all the ways teachers in DSM have stepped up recently and continue to find ways to inspire students in new ways.

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