Here at EdPlace, we recognise what an important part parents and carers play in their children’s education. However with UNESCO World Teachers’ Day approaching, we are going to look more closely at the important role good teachers also play in our children’s lives.

Teaching isn’t just a job, or even just a career; to many teachers it is a passion. A desire to pass on their enthusiasm for learning, and to make a difference in the lives of our young people. We would like to honour the drive and commitment that many teachers show by looking more closely at exactly why we owe our teachers such a debt of gratitude.

1. Teachers don't only teach but also care

When children enter school every morning we hand over the responsibility to teachers to not only to teach them but also to care for them. This doesn’t just include dealing with illness and injury, but also to recognise when individual children may be struggling with issues at home or with arguments with their friends. Children often don’t offer this information but teachers learn to recognise any change in behaviour or mood that may suggest that things aren’t quite right and do all that they can to help.

2. Teachers are the best counsellors!

Children and older students will often feel more comfortable talking to a teacher than talking to somebody at home and teachers will frequently become counsellors as well as educators. Teaching doesn’t just cover academic subjects but also dealing with real life social situations and also overcoming any anxieties or fears they may have. This is where their caring nature and dedication comes in. They will be a ‘listening ear’ outside of home to provide support, even if they can’t help directly. We would like to think that all children have supportive, happy home lives but unfortunately, for one reason or another, this is not always the case. This is where the role of teachers and other school staff becomes extremely important to those children in particular.

3. They inspire children

Teachers are also, quite often, the first adults after their parents, with whom children build relationships. They become role models and help to inspire children to try new things that they may think they are not capable of. Igniting the spark in them that will hopefully remain long after they have moved classes or schools. They have the skills to recognise what will enthuse different characters to work to their full potential and know how to set challenges tailored to their needs.

As soon as a child starts school, the teaching staff will be helping to prepare them for the outside world. This can range from dressing independently in the early years, through to lessons about dealing with smoking, drugs and relationships and finally, careers advice and becoming young adults. A good teacher will try not to tell the children what to do but help them to work things out for themselves and work out strategies to help them overcome their problems. This provides them with the tools to use in later life when tackling similar problems. Once again the fact that teachers work so hard to get to know their students as individuals, helps them to know the best way to tackle a problem for one child may not necessarily work for another.

4. Each child is special to its teacher

Their strengths, limitations and little quirks will be noticed. It is understood that all children cannot be treated in exactly the same way which helps the child to learn in the best way possible, but also, to feel as if they are valued and respected as an individual.

So by the time your child leaves school they will hopefully have had many special teachers. People who will have worked tirelessly during their evenings, weekends and holidays to make sure that your child, and many others, get the best that they possibly can out of their developing years. All this along with, hopefully some good exam results and eagerness to either further their education or to succeed in a career that will bring them fulfilment for may years to come.

Don't forget to thank your children's special teacher. 

Join our campaign and share your appreciation!

1. Print the WTD Thank You Card

2. Share a photo with the card - use the hashtag #thankyourteacher through EdPlace's Facebook or Twitter page

Read more: https://www.edplace.com/WTD2015