World Teachers' Day 2024
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 7, 27 September 2024, page 8.
On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the immeasurable difference teachers make in the lives of their students, communities, and colleagues.
This year’s theme, “Teachers Make a Difference”, resonates deeply with those of us who have dedicated our lives to education and the advocacy that surrounds it. Whether it is the lasting impact on a student or the strength of solidarity among teachers, our role is multi-faceted and transformative.
Every day, in classrooms across the world, we play a vital role in shaping the minds and hearts of students. We know the impact of a teacher often extends far beyond the curriculum. We provide guidance, encouragement, and sometimes even stability in the lives of young people who face numerous challenges. Our influence might not always be immediately apparent, but the seeds we plant in students’ lives often grow into something much larger.
There is a saying that “teaching is the profession that creates all other professions.” As teachers, we nurture not just the intellect but also the character of our students. It is in these daily interactions, whether they are conversations about life beyond school or small acts of kindness, that we may be making the most profound impact. Often, we don’t even realise how far our influence reaches.
Since coming into the role of Vice-President of the Queensland Teachers’ Union, I have seen first-hand the difference we make through advocating for better working conditions and a safe environment in which teachers and school leaders can thrive. Our work in the Union helps protect the rights of teachers and ensures that they can perform their vital role in society with dignity and respect. When we advocate for teachers, we are advocating for the future of education.
One of the most significant areas many of our members are dealing with is occupational violence and aggression, which, unfortunately, many of us have faced in our workplaces. The recently released #myworkplaceisnotlikeyours member quotes on social media are only a snapshot of what happens in our workplaces.
The Union’s efforts to combat occupational violence have been critical in ensuring that teachers have the support they need, and that schools and TAFE are places in which both educators and students can feel safe and secure.
Working in environments where occupational violence is present adds another layer of difficulty to an already demanding job. However, the strength of Union solidarity is one of the most powerful forces to counteract these challenges. By standing together, advocating for policy changes, and ensuring that our voices are heard, we make a difference not only for ourselves but for the generations of teachers who will come after us.
As teachers we often don’t realise the full extent of the difference we make. Sometimes, it’s the smallest actions that leave the most lasting impression. Whether it’s offering a word of encouragement to a struggling student or standing up for a colleague’s rights, we are shaping the lives of those around us in ways we may never fully understand.
This World Teachers’ Day, I encourage you all to take a moment to reflect on the impact you’ve made—not just in the lives of students, but also in the broader community. As teachers, we make a difference in the classroom. As unionists, we make a difference for each other.
Let us continue to stand together, make a difference, and shape the future.