#sparkchamber 100520 — World Teachers' Day

A special #sparkchamber today as we honor teachers. Like a beacon in the darkness, or a clarion bell amid the chaos, the calendar turns today to World Teacher’s Day, shining a well-timed, much-needed spotlight on one group of newly designated “essential” workers.

The intersecting, compounding spiral of consequences from decades-long short-sighted decision-making across climate, justice, healthcare, economy, and education came into clear focus as the raging pandemic revealed multiple shortfalls in the system. Behind the scenes and at the front lines, an intricate matrix of individuals, the bedrock of communities that make up our collective society, stepped up, stepped in. Along with first responders, medical staff, workers in farm-and-field, consumer-facing retail employees, transportation and social-service workers, and child- and elder-care providers, teachers held it together, kept it moving forward.

World Teachers’ Day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind. This year’s theme is “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future.”

From a joint statement from UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF and Education International:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly added to the challenges faced by already over-extended education systems throughout the world. It is no exaggeration to say that the world is at a crossroads and, now more than ever, we must work with teachers to protect the right to education and guide it into the unfolding landscape brought about by the pandemic.

The issue of teacher leadership in relation to crisis responses is not just timely, but critical in terms of the contributions teachers have made to provide remote learning, support vulnerable populations, reopen schools, and ensure that learning gaps have been mitigated. The discussions surrounding World Teachers’ Day will also address the role of teachers in building resilience and shaping the future of education and the teaching profession.”

Perhaps take a moment today to hold a good thought or raise a glass or make a donation in the name of a teacher who changed your course, who helped you become who you are. As goes the Japanese proverb, better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.

1.] Where do ideas come from?

Nine-tenths of education is encouragement — Anatole France

2.] What is the itch you are scratching?

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire  — William Butler Yeats

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows — Sydney J. Harris

3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?

Good teaching is 1/4 preparation and 3/4 theatre — Gail Goldwin

The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see — Alexandra K. Trenfor

The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery — Mark Van Doren

4.] How do you know when you are done?

A teacher affects eternity; [they] can never tell where [their] influence stops — Henry B. Adams

I touch the future. I teach. — Christa McAuliffe