Teachers deserve our recognition this World Teachers' Day
28 October 2010
There are millions of them the world over. In New Zealand there are over 96,000 of them. They shape children’s lives with knowledge and bring the prospect of a bright future.
Who are they? They are teachers.
UNESCO's World Teachers' Day, celebrated on Friday 29 October in New Zealand and Australia is a day when New Zealanders can thank teachers for educating our youngest citizens to take an active part in our world.
“Teachers leave a huge footprint on people’s lives by building the foundation for lifelong learning,” said New Zealand Teachers Council Director Dr Peter Lind.
UNESCO describes teachers as “change agents, providing the impetus for the emergence of educated communities”.
“Teaching is about reaching out to communities. Teachers are sophisticated communicators who build relationships with families, linking classroom with home.”
This World Teachers’ Day, the New Zealand Teachers Council is celebrating the work of qualified and registered teachers, including the country’s newest teachers.
“In their first two years on the job, new teachers work with experienced mentor teachers to develop their teaching expertise.
“This year we’re excited to host a two-day conference to showcase the findings of an innovative national pilot programme in induction and mentoring.
“The pilots are trialling a new approach to what knowledge, skills and development mentor teachers need to accelerate the professional learning of our newest teachers.
“Our focus is on mentoring the next generation of educators to build them into confident and satisfied teachers in the future,” said Dr Lind.
Photo competition captures the spirit of ‘Teachers in Action’
This year the New Zealand Teachers Council ran a photo competition for students and teachers to capture the spirit of ‘Teachers in Action’.
The overall winning entry was judged by Council Chair Alison McAlpine and Director Dr Peter Lind as “depicting the essence of what it means to be a dynamic teacher”.
Congratulations to Kallia Patching, Year 4 teacher from Gladstone Primary School in Mount Albert, Auckland. Kallia’s photo caption was “Teacher joining in folk dancing celebration with students, doing what she does best and having fun!”
The winning image/s and the full gallery can be viewed on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/teachersinaction/
ENDS
Contact: Director, Dr Peter Lind on 04 470 9055 or 0274 311 523 or Communications Advisor Charlotte Brown on 04 470 9087.
‘Teachers in Action’ photo competition results
The overall winner is: Kallia Patching, Gladstone Primary School, Mount Albert, Auckland
The winner from the ECE sector is: Lisa Patterson, Creative Corner Childcare Centre, Timaru
The winner from the primary sector is: Kallia Patching, Gladstone Primary School, Mount Albert, Auckland
The winner from the secondary sector is: Jesse Enriquez, Rosehill College, Auckland
Visit our ‘Teachers in Action’ Flickr webpage to view the full gallery. If you are interested in publishing another one of the photographs please email me charlotte.brown@teacherscouncil.govt.nz.
Facts about World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day was created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994 to celebrate teachers worldwide. In most countries it is being held on 5 October. In New Zealand and Australia, it is being celebrated on 29 October due to the timing of the school holidays.
Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.
Profile of teachers in New Zealand
There are over 96,000 registered teachers with a current practising certificate in New Zealand:
- 33% across secondary sector
- 48% across primary
- 19% across early childhood education
- of these, there are close to 20,000 provisionally registered teachers with a current practising certificate. Provisionally registered teachers are teachers who have never been fully registered and includes newly qualified teachers.