Monthly Spotlight: Teachers

What is a teacher?

Teacher, noun

1) One who or that which teaches or instructs; an instructor; also figurative; spec. one whose function is to give instruction, esp. in a school.

2) to tutor, prompt, ‘coach’.

World teacher's day history

• It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers
  • Sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers, and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
• World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1994.
• It is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education, but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.
• World Teachers’ Day is co-convened in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and Education International (EI).

-Brought to you by UNESCO

What makes a good teacher Part 1

• From the National Library of Medicine:
  • Being a good role model
  • Being committed to the work
  • Encourages and appreciates diversity
  • Interacts and communicates with respect
  • Motivates students and co-workers
  • Brings a wide range of skills and talents to teaching
  • Demonstrates leadership in teaching
  • Encourages an open and trusting environment
  • Fosters critical thinking
  • Encourages creative work
  • Emphasizes teamwork
  • Wanting to continuously improve their teaching skills
  • Provides positive feedback

Teacher shortage

• The crisis had already been underway since the Great Recession in 2009
• More than three-quarters of the U.S. states are experiencing a teacher shortage
• 2017 marks the starting point for more job openings vs. job hires
• People leaving education is only part of the problem; fewer and fewer people are going into education as a career path
  • 54% of the public attitude indicated they did NOT want their children to become teachers when polled
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on pandemic learning, published in June 2022, estimated that public education lost about 7% of its total teaching population between 2019 and 2021
• When interviewed by ABC News, teachers had this thinking in common:
  • Cited strict time demands
  • Persistent behavioral issues
  • Lack of administrative support
  • Burnout
  • Underfunded school systems
  • Even more issues on top of these
• 41 out of 53 surveyed areas (at least 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) had ongoing shortages
  • Vacancies include, but are not limited to, physical and special education and STEM classes

-This information is gathered from ABC News and the National Education Association

How to celebrate!

Here are some ideas of how you can help celebrate your favorite teachers:

• Wear red: It's the official color for National Teacher Day
• Make a card
• Do an online shoutout (#ThankATeacher)
• Create a word cloud
• Give your teacher a present
• Print out a certificate
• Design a poster
• Decorate their classroom door
• Write a bunch of thank-you notes or notes of appreciation
• Continue to be a great student!
• Donate classroom materials they may need

Stats about being a teacher

• As of June 2022, from the Western Governors University:
  • Over 1.5 million kindergarten and elementary school teachers
  • About 1 million high school teachers
  • Highest average paying state: New York
  • Lowest average paying state: Florida
  • About 85% of teachers participate in the pension program
• Some 2017-18 characteristics and trends from the National Center for Education Statistics:
  • 3.3 million full-time and part-time traditional public teachers
  • 205,600 public charter school teachers
  • 509,200 private school teachers
  • Traditional public school teachers' highest level of education was:
    • 39% bachelor's degree
    • 50% master's degree
    • 8% education specialist
  • Public charter teachers' highest level of education:
    • 50% bachelor's degree
    • 39% master's degree
    • 6% education specialist
  • Private school teachers' highest level of education:
    • 42% bachelor's degree
    • 40% master's degree
    • 5% education specialist

What makes a good teacher part 2

• From Indeed: Career Guide:
  • Effective goal setting
    • Check for understanding
    • Offer feedback
  • Clear communication
    • Active listening
    • Ask for clarification when needed
  • Being a role model
    • Be aware of your behavior
    • Create an environment of honesty
  • Adaptability and flexibility
    • Celebrate students individuality
    • Identify different learning styles
  • Preparation
    • Create intentional lesson plans
    • Understand strengths and weaknesses
  • Self-reflection
    • Designate time for it
    • Offer privacy
  • Life-long learning
    • Prepare for changing the classroom
    • Encourage personal and professional development in the classroom