Teachers Council

Issue Number 122 | 18 October 2013

Teachers: New Zealand's Educational DNA As teachers, you are New Zealand's Educational DNA. You influence the choices learners make and the careers they choose.  You play an integral role in determining who they become.   Celebrating World Teachers' Day 2013 This World Teachers' Day (25 October) we're running a campaign to showcase how teachers inspire their learners and help them grow into knowledgeable and skilled global citizens, working across diverse industries and professions. You will see our ambassadors on Stuff from 21 -25 October, in the Sunday Star Times this Sunday 20 October and across various regional newspapers on Friday 25 October. Our ambassadors have all moved into interesting careers of their own and all recognise their teachers as the driving force behind their success. Check out our World Teachers' Day Ambassadors here Message to the profession "Everyone has been to school and, in fact, we have a generation of young people who have also experienced extensive early childhood education.  So it is no wonder that teachers have been powerful influences in our growth and learning. And it is no wonder that we have high expectations of teachers. After all they work closely with our most vulnerable and precious resource, our children. "On World Teachers' Day, we are sharing some of the positive experiences and influences teachers have had on New Zealanders’ lives. "As we explore these shared memories, it becomes apparent that often the attributes teachers bring to the task are the key to motivating and sparking learning.  Parker Palmer in his book The Courage to Teach wrote, “Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher” (1998)." Dr Peter Lind, Director