Teaching: where the future begins – World Teachers' Day 2023
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 7, 29 September 2023, page no. 14
On 27 October, the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) joins the community in celebrating World Teachers’ Day, a momentous occasion that pays homage to the profound impact teachers and school leaders have on students, every day.
This year’s theme “Teaching: Where the Future Begins” encapsulates the essence of state schools and TAFE. This reflects the belief that the foundation for a prosperous future is laid in classrooms, where dedicated teachers inspire students to dream, learn, and innovate.
Teachers create inclusive and nurturing environments in which students feel valued and empowered. The bonds forged between teachers and students foster a sense of belonging, igniting the passion for learning and enabling students to reach their full potential.
While celebrating the strides made in education, World Teachers’ Day also acknowledges the challenges teachers face. From adapting to new teaching modalities to addressing diverse learning needs, teachers are resilient in the face of change. Through collaboration with communities and parents, teachers overcome obstacles to ensure a promising future is realised for every student.
In my 25 years of classroom teaching, just like you I have had the privilege of working with students with unique learning requirements, and one of the most profound lessons I have learned is that there is enormous diversity within these students with additional needs, or as I like to call them SWANs.
Each student’s learning journey is woven with distinct strengths, challenges, and idiosyncrasies. From students with autism spectrum disorders who may thrive on structure and routines to those who may require trauma-informed practices, the variety of needs is vast.
What is also important to recognise is that SWANs may not consistently present the same challenges day to day. But we also know there are times when an individual student comes to school requiring extra support, sometimes for a day, a week, or a month. No two days are ever the same in the classroom.
To minimise disruption and maximise learning, teachers create a classroom which promotes an inclusive and supportive environment. We know that teaching SWANs undoubtedly carries a set of challenges that can be demanding, both emotionally and logistically, and to do so sometimes requires support. I always welcomed the support, but what about the impact of teaching SWANs on workload management?
Collaboration is one of the key strategies that was invaluable for me. Working closely with other teachers, support staff and specialists, each member brought a unique set of skills to the table, which allowed us to provide more comprehensive support to students by sharing responsibilities and insights.
Of course, support for teachers with SWANs must be fully resourced, and this may include an investment in ongoing professional development to help teachers remain up to date on best practices and strategies, as well as release time for collaboration and planning.
As World Teachers’ Day approaches, I would like to remind you that through your exceptional dedication and your tireless efforts, we plant the seeds of knowledge, curiosity, and innovation that will flourish into a thriving future.
As the QTU joins the global celebration of teachers, it is a time to express gratitude for your unwavering commitment. You are the guiding light that leads the way towards a better and brighter tomorrow.