"Each new day, teachers are issued the tremendous opportunity to impact the future"
The influence of a great educator can stay with a student forever.
In recognition of the importance of excellent educators, Texas Tech University College of Education celebrated World Teachers' Day. Observed annually on Oct. 5, the day is dedicated to appreciating, assessing and improving educators around the globe. It's also an opportunity to discuss issues facing the profession.
The college on Friday heard from community leaders, who shared their admiration and spoke about the difference great teachers have made in their lives.
"Fortunately I've had many extraordinary teachers, however Mary Adams stands out," Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope said.
"She taught Honors English my senior year in high school. Mrs. Adams opened my eyes to a really big world. She challenged the thinking of many people in my small, central Texas town. She encouraged us to ask why and to explain our thoughts in written form – good grammar required. She had bigger dreams for us then we had for ourselves. Simply put, she made a huge difference."
Keith Bryant, superintendent at Lubbock-Cooper ISD, said he had been "impacted and inspired by many teachers as a student, colleague, administrator and superintendent."
"Each new day, teachers are issued the tremendous opportunity to impact the future," he said.
"Many of them serve as educator, counselor, mentor, nurse and nurturer on a daily basis to their students, and they spend more time and resources than the public will ever know to assure their students have the provisions they need."
This year's theme for World Teachers' Day is: "The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher."
Here are some recent stories about ways Texas Tech has been working to ensure all students and school districts have access to the best-prepared educators:
- College of Education Seeks to Expand Rural Educator Pipeline: An innovative teacher preparation program created by the College of Education helps school districts that struggle to recruit teachers.
- Burkhart Center Teacher Training Institute Brings Big Changes to Smaller Districts: A one-of-a-kind program helps train educational professionals from rural and underserved school districts as autism spectrum disorder experts, behavioral coaches and board-certified behavioral analysts.
- Texas Tech Receives $475K Grant to Host Autism Trainings Across Texas: A $475,000 grant awarded to the Texas Tech University Burkhart Center for Autism Education & Research will let the university bring specialized training to autism specialists and educators across the state.
- Alumna Shares Knowledge with Future Educators: Irma Almager transformed her dissertation into a narrative publication to prepare teachers and principals.
- Collaboration with Slaton ISD Creates Generation of Problem-Solvers: A partnership between the College of Education, Slaton Junior High School and the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching focuses on improving classroom methods.
Established in 1994, World Teachers' Day commemorates the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
The document is the main reference framework for addressing teachers' rights and responsibilities on a global scale. For more information, click here.