NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar says it is important to acknowledge the incredible work teachers do in the “profession that creates all other careers”.
“Our teachers go to extraordinary lengths to ensure every student can reach their potential,” he says.
Senior lecturer at Monash University’s School of Education, Culture and Society, Fiona Longmuir, says with the profession facing increasing pressure from budget cuts, burgeoning workloads, and growing instances of abuse and harassment from students and parents, appreciation and respect could go a long way.
“It’s no secret that teaching is a tough gig – now more than ever we’re seeing many good people leave the profession in droves because they are overworked, underappreciated, and at a loss for how to fix it,” the co-leader of Monash’s Education Workforce for the Future Research Lab says.
Those that remain, Longmuir continues, are working hard to continue supporting their students to achieve the best educational and wellbeing outcomes, often playing a pivotal role in their early lives and inspiring their futures.
“This World Teachers’ Day, we want to encourage families to appreciate the teachers who are helping and supporting their young people.
“Working together with teachers, being open and ready to listen and communicate respectfully will foster positive relationships that ultimately provide the best possible environment for the students to thrive.
“We want to tell young people thinking about a career in teaching that it is a great profession and that in the coming years they will have a great opportunity to contribute to the change that is needed for our schools and the profession.”
Longmuir says today is important because it’s a collective opportunity to acknowledge teachers, so that they know that they are appreciated for the work they are doing, which is crucial in shaping the next generation.
“Most importantly, we want to make sure they know they are not alone,” she says.
“Research going on across Monash, in collaboration with schools and teachers, is identifying approaches and policy solutions to address the issues plaguing our schools, and we will continue to work with you to ensure you can do your job safely and happily.”
WA Education Department Director General, Jim Bell, has previously worked as a teacher, deputy principal and principal at nine different schools before joining the Department’s central office.
Looking back on his career ahead of his retirement, Bell says teaching is an incredibly rewarding profession.
“In our job we have to remind ourselves that we actually can change people’s lives. This is a job where you can actually change the life trajectory of a kid,” he says.
“I don’t know if I did that, but to have someone’s back to support them and just believe in people to go, ‘you know what, you can actually do this’.
“You don’t get that in every job.”
Tasmanian Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, expressed her Government’s deep appreciation for teachers and the support and dedication they provide to her state’s children and young people.
“As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, I want to recognise and thank the teachers who have dedicated themselves to educating the next generation,” Minister Palmer said.
“Teachers play such an important role by giving the gift of learning, and we are fortunate to have such amazing and passionate teachers here in Tasmania.”
Teachers, however, need more than thanks from politicians, grateful parents, carers and other well-wishers, they need fully funded public schools, according to AEU federal president, Correna Haythorpe.
Australia’s public schools have been denied full funding for more than a decade and that has had a devastating impact on the teaching profession with escalating workloads and a chronic workforce shortage, she says.
As we head to the next Federal Election, the Albanese Government’s commitment to fully fund public schools is in danger of being viewed as a “broken promise” by public school communities across the nation, Haythorpe says.
“Our members and their communities have had enough,” Haythorpe declares.
“Instead of giving teachers thanks, let’s fully fund their schools this World Teachers’ Day, anything less fails teachers, students and public school communities.”
