Thank you to our teachers

It’s World Teachers’ Day and this year more than ever, we are sending out a huge thank you to all teachers around the world for their dedication and commitment to education.

2020 has not panned out the way any of us expected with many changes happening. For children, schools and learning institutions, it’s been a huge adjustment to a new way of accessing education. Teachers have been called upon to change the way they work and to be a grounding and reassuring force in the lives of their students.

World Teachers' Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world and it was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994 to recognise the role of teachers in society.

This day recognises all the teachers in their many roles. We thank the early childhood teachers, primary school teachers, high school teachers, casual relief teachers, principals and early childhood leaders, and honour the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and communities.

When everything seemed to be uncertain and ever changing, education continued. Teachers have jumped into their new roles by rapidly adapting to new technology, getting creative to maintain engagement and coordinating with students and families at a whole new level. This time of change that we’ve all experienced has not been easy on anyone, but to see the perseverance and flexibility of the teachers has been heart-warming.

Teachers have continued their roles despite facing their own challenges with having to educate about not only the curriculum, but also the ever changing world events. Learning along with the rest of the world as the situation has continued to develop, however always helping their students to stay the course and bringing them back to that ever important life skill of learning.

This World Teachers’ Day, we are also recognising the many parents, guardians and loved ones who have stepped into the role of teacher in their own homes. Schooling looked very different in many parts of the world this year, and continues to evolve and change. Parents have had to work with teachers, schools and the technology elements to help children continue their education.

We would also like to thank our wonderful employees here at SMCT for their commitment and dedication to learning, adapting and changing in this time. Many of the employees have taken on homeschooling with their own families while continuing their roles. Some have even had to take on the role of teacher for fellow colleagues, helping others to learn new technology and ways of working to continue our work. We thank all of them for being so willing to adapt and change, learn and grow, while also navigating education for their families at home. Well done.

This time has given everyone a greater appreciation and respect for the roles we play in our homes, in our schools and in our community. Most importantly, it’s provided an opportunity to work together and find the best solution so that learning can always continue.

It’s not ideal, that we can all agree upon. But it has taught us all lessons that we will never forget and shown that we can always keep learning and adapting.

Again, we thank all the teachers for their incredible efforts this year to further education and support communities in learning, growth and development.