Published 19 Oct 2022
Happy World Teachers’ Day - Friday 28 October 2022
During a year of significant workforce pressures, it’s never been more important to recognise the fantastic work of teachers. 2022 has seen Victorian teachers deliver quality education following the wide-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by showing incredible flexibility, courage and resilience.
It underlines why teachers are so important to our society. Every day, we should be thankful for the significant role teachers play in the lives of children, students, their families and communities.
World Teachers’ Day tribute
VIT Chairperson Lesley Lamb pays tribute to the dedicated teachers across our state.
“In a newspaper article many years ago, I wrote that I had ‘a privileged education’. It was not privileged in the old school tie, manicured lawns and ivy-clad walls sense. Far from it! My kindergarten was in a nissen hut, my state primary school and high schools were light-timber-construction (chicken coop!) schools in the industrial western suburbs of Melbourne.
So why did I write I was privileged? It’s because I was taught by passionate, committed teachers, who not only believed in the power of education, but also believed that the children and young people of Victoria deserved the highest standard of teaching and education which they could - and did - provide!
Now many things have changed in schools and early learning environments since these largely ‘chalk and talk’ days, but the single most significant factor in a successful education has not: quality, professional teachers.
While there have been technological advances in schools that allow teachers and students to access more resources than ever before, a teacher’s task has only become more demanding as they prepare young people for an infinitely more complex and competitive world.
The environment in which teachers teach always reflects the current social, economic and cultural challenges which teachers are required to navigate. Indeed, teachers are often asked to ameliorate any perceived problems to equip young people to survive, and thrive, in difficult circumstance. And I shouldn’t have to mention the particular challenges of the last few years of pandemic and widespread disruption to teaching, schools and early childhood services!
So, it is more important than ever that we recognise, thank and celebrate these professionals who are resolutely educating, inspiring and empowering young people everywhere to be the best that they can be.
Thank you to the teachers who allowed me the privilege of being educated.
Thank you to those to whom I confidently entrusted my children’s futures, and now my grandchildren’s futures.
We, in Victoria, can all share the privilege of a quality education made possible by the dedication and calibre of our Victorian teachers.”
VIT Chairperson, Lesley Lamb
World Teachers’ Day allows us to shine the spotlight on, celebrate and thank teachers for the work they do in improving student outcomes and shaping their lives for future success – every year and especially during the challenges faced this past year.
The VIT recognises the high quality of Victorian teachers, early childhood teachers, casual relief teachers, principals and early childhood leaders, and the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and communities.
World Teachers’ Day resources
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has launched the ‘Hats off to teachers’ campaign, encouraging everyone to share a ‘hats off’ selfie to celebrate teachers.
AITSL’s Celebration Kit is full of engaging resources to help you celebrate this World Teachers’ Day including
- logos and graphics
- school newsletter content
- posters
- social media images
- make your own hat templates
- email signatures
- thank you cards and gift tags
- virtual meeting background.
Celebrated internationally on 5 October, World Teachers’ Day was established in 1994 by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to recognise the vital role of qualified teachers in our society.
In 2022, World Teachers’ Day will be celebrated in Victoria on Friday 28 October.